Graded compression stockings significantly decreased the risk of deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the effect of GCS on decreasing the incidence of postoperative DVT in patients after primary total knee arthroplasty.Method: A total of 226 patients who received primary TKA in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from Jan 1, 2018, to Jan 1, 2021 were enrolled. Depending on the presence of postoperative DVT, we divided the patients into 2 groups: the non-DVT group (n=192) and the DVT group (n=34). Parameters were compared using χ2 or t test between two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors.Results: The incidence of postoperative DVT was 15% (n=34) in patients after TKA. Age, preoperative D-dimer and GCS usage were all associated with postoperative DVT. Compared to the non-DVT group, there was a significant increase in age (71.06±7.25 vs. 67.82±7.61, p=0.022) and preoperative D-dimer (1.51±2.21 vs. 0.92±1.39, p=0,042) in the DVT group. Moreover, the rate of GCS usage in the DVT group was significantly lower than that in the non-DVT group (23.5% vs. 48.4%, p=0.007). After adjusting for age, gender, preoperative D-dimer, and GCS usage by binary logistic regression analysis, GCS usage (OR = 2.950, 𝑃 = 0.013, 95% CI [1.261-6.901]) was an independent risk factor for postoperative DVT in patients after TKA.Conclusion: The overall prevalence of DVT was 15% in the current study, with 20.8% in non-GCS usage patients and 7.9% in GCS usage patients. GCS usage was an independent risk factor and could significantly decrease DVT risk in patients after TKA.