Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Jul;35(7):995-1000.
doi: 10.1007/s00264-010-1091-8. Epub 2010 Jul 22.

Pneumatic compression with foot pumps facilitates early postoperative mobilisation in total knee arthroplasty

C Windisch  1 , W Kolb, K Kolb, P Grützner, R Venbrocks, J Anders
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Pneumatic compression with foot pumps facilitates early postoperative mobilisation in total knee arthroplasty

C Windisch et al. Int Orthop. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) represent life-threatening postoperative complications frequently responsible for in-hospital mortality following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Mechanical prophylaxis in the form of a foot pump offers an alternative to pharmacological and physical therapy. The aim of this prospective and randomised study was to examine the clinical efficacy of the A-V Impulse (AVI) system in reduction of soft-tissue swelling of the lower limb following a TKA. A total of 80 patients undergoing cemented TKA between September 2005 and December 2006 were randomised into two groups of 40 patients (n¹ = 40, n² = 40) during the 16-month study period. All patients received a subcutaneous dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (Enoxaparin/Clexane® 40 mg) once daily beginning 24 hours prior to the operation. The mean age for the groups n¹ and n² were 68.93 and 68.15 years, respectively. The reduction of soft-tissue swelling in the n¹ group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared with n². Evaluation of body mass index (BMI) with regard to the average reduction of soft-tissue swelling showed no significant influence (p < 0.05). The better function of the operated knee in group AVI was a significant predictor for improved agility and mobility (p < 0.01). No complications were reported for the application of the AVI. No ultrasonographic evidence of DVT or PE was found in any of the 80 patients during the investigative time period of eight days. After three months, there was no evidence of a symptomatic DVT.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Passive mobility of the operated knee joint after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in degrees of flexion. Depiction of groups n¹ [A-V Impulse (AVI) system and n² (non-AVI)]. ROM range of motion
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Range of motion (ROM) in degree of knee flexion following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in groups n¹ [A-V Impulse (AVI) system and n² (non-AVI)]
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Average daily application of the A-V Impulse (AVI) System™ for group n¹ measured in hours (h)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Asano H, Matsubara M, Suzuki K, et al. Prevention of pulmonary embolism by a foot sole pump. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2001;83:1130–1132. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.83B8.11938. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Colwell CW, Jr, Froimson MI, Mont MA, Ritter MA, Trousdale RT, Buehler KC, Spitzer A, Donaldson TK, Padgett DE. Thombosis prevention after total hip Arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized trial comparing a mobile compression device with low-molecular-weight heparin. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010;92:527–535. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.I.00047. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Eisele R, Kinzl L, Koelsch T. Rapid-inflation intermittent pneumatic compression for prevention of deep venous thrombosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89:1050–1056. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.E.00434. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Fitzgerald RH, Jr, Spiro TE, Trowbridge AA, Gardiner GA, Jr, Whitsett TL, O’Connell MB, Ohar JA, Young TR. Prevention of venous thromboembolic disease following primary total knee arthroplasty. A randomized, multicenter, open-label, parallel-group comparison of enoxaparin and warfarin. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001;83:900–906. - PubMed
    1. Gardner AM, Fox RH. The venous pump of the human foot: preliminary report. Bristol Med Chir J. 1983;98:109–112. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances