Is routine splintage following primary total knee replacement necessary? A prospective randomised trial.
It was hypothesised that routine splintage following primary total knee replacement has no affect on flexion deformity and offers no benefit over simple wool and crepe. Fifty-five patients undergoing primary total knee replacement were entered into a prospective study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: The first group was rehabilitated without a splint and the second received an adjustable semi-rigid extension splint (Richards splint) for the first 48 h after surgery. Range of motion measurements were recorded pre-operatively and at 2 days, 1 week and 3 months post-operation by a research nurse blinded to the allocation. No statistically significant difference in flexion deformity was found at any stage (P>0.5). No difference was found in general or wound complications, or requirement for blood transfusion, and the post-operative stay was equal in the two groups. We conclude that routine use of a semi-rigid splint following primary total knee replacement has no advantage over simple wound dressings.
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Kings Mill Hospital, Kings Mill Centre, Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 4JL, UK.
T C
TC
Horton
R
R
Jackson
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N
Mohan
J E
JE
Hambidge
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D013165:Splints / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology