SPECIALIZED EDEMA MANAGEMENT AFTER KNEE SURGERY
AN OUTCOME OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM
- 13.8% of patients will visit the ER at least once after total knee replacement (TKA), complaining of pain and swelling. (1)
- Infection is responsible for 38.5% of TKA failures. (2)
- Edema (swelling) is the leading risk factor for developing an infection. (3)
Click here for study references.
(1) Kelly, M., Prentice, H., Wang, W., Fasig, B., Sheth, D., & Paxton, E. (2018). Reasons for Ninety-Day Emergency Visits and Readmissions After Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty: Results From a US Integrated Healthcare System.. The Journal of arthroplasty, 33 7, 2075-2081 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2018.02.010.
(2) Jämsen, E., Huhtala, H., Puolakka, T., & Moilanen, T. (2009). Risk factors for infection after knee arthroplasty. A register-based analysis of 43,149 cases.. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 91 1, 38-47 . https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.G.01686.
(3) Kolz, J., Rainer, W., Wyles, C., Houdek, M., Perry, K., & Lewallen, D. (2020). Lymphedema: A Significant Risk Factor for Infection and Implant Failure After Total Knee Arthroplasty.. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-20-00005.
WHO IS AT RISK? WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE SURGERY
History of swelling
Obesity
Over 70 years of age
History of cellulits
History of venous insufficiency
Pitting edema present
Compromised skin
WHO'S AT RISK? WHAT TO LOOK FOR AFTER SURGERY
Significant or increased swelling after 8 days
Difficulty gaining range of motion with PT
Patient dissatisfaction with the process
Poor tolerance to PT due to pain/tightness
Poor incision healing
