Background The infrapatellar fat pad is one of the structures that obscures exposure in minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (MIS TKA). Most MIS TKA surgeons (and many surgeons who use other approaches as well) excise the fat pad for better exposure of the knee. There is still controversy about the result of fat pad excision on patella baja, pain, and function. Questions/purposes In the setting of a randomized controlled trial, we sought to determine whether infrapatellar fat pad excision during MIS TKA causes (1) patellar tendon shortening (as measured by patella baja); (2) increased anterior knee pain; (3) decreases in the Knee Society Score or functional subscore; or (4) more patella-related complications.Methods We randomized 90 patients undergoing MIS TKA at one institution into two groups. In one group, 45 patients underwent MIS TKA with complete infrapatellar fat pad excision and in the other group, 45 patients received MIS TKA without infrapatellar fat pad excision. The patella was selectively resurfaced in these patients; there was no difference between the groups in terms of the percentage of patients whose patellae were resurfaced. We measured patellar tendon shortening, knee flexion, anterior knee pain, Knee Society Score (KSS), functional subscore, and patellar complications at preoperative and postoperative periods of 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year; complete followup data were available on 86% of patients (77 of 90) who were enrolled.

BackgroundIntravenous tranexamic acid (IV TXA) is one of the most effective agents in use for reducing blood loss following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but its safety regarding venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) remains in question. The direct, local application of TXA may reduce systemic toxicity whilst maintaining good or better bleeding control compared to IV TXA. The topical application of TXA via Hemovac drains has been reported previously with good results. However, there are no data on peri-articular TXA injections during TKA.MethodsWe conducted an open randomized, pilot study of peri-articular vs. IV TXA in 60 patients undergoing TKA. 30 patients received either: (i) 750 mg peri-articular TXA into the medial, lateral capsules and the quadriceps tendon prior to capsular closure and tourniquet deflation (group1), or (ii) 750 mg of IV TXA just before tourniquet deflation. Blood loss in the hemovac drain and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were measured at 24 and 48 h (h), and the number of blood transfusions and leg circumference measurements were recorded.ResultsAt 48 h, the total blood loss in the hemovac drain was 445 mL in group 1 vs. 520 mL in group 2 (p = 0.081) and the corresponding declines in Hb were 1.85 g/dL vs. 1.87 g/dL (p = 0.84). 16 patients received blood transfusions: 9 vs. 7 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.928). There were no differences in thigh and lower leg circumferences, pain scores, knee flexion at discharge date and lengths of hospital stay. There were no clinically detected venous thromboembolic events.ConclusionThis pilot study has shown promising results for peri-articular TXA during TKA. Additional, larger studies are needed to confirm our results and be powered to show differences in efficacy and safety of peri-articular vs. IV TXA.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02829346. Retrospectively registered: 07/11/2016.

Background A bulky compression dressing (Robert Jones bandage) is commonly used after TKA to reduce blood loss, pain, and swelling. However, it is unclear whether these dressings in fact reduce blood loss.

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ceramic TAA and ankle arthrodesis to determine the medium-to longterm advantages of ceramic TAA compared with ankle arthrodesis in patients with end-stage arthritis.