Impact of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty on functional recovery and postoperative pain: a prospective study

Background Tourniquet use during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of tourniquet use only during cementation compared with its use throughout the entire surgery concerning early outcomes in functional recovery, pain, quadriceps function, and rehabilitation. Methods Between November 2019 and March 2020, 118 patients were enrolled in this study, with 59 patients undergoing TKA with a tourniquet during the entire surgery (group 1) and 59 patients with a tourniquet only during cementation (group 2). Twenty-eight patients were unable to complete follow-up leaving fifty in group 1 and forty in group 2. Primary endpoints were surgical time, postoperative knee and thigh pain, and functional recovery. Secondary endpoints were 6-month clinical scores and blood loss. Results Patients in group 1 had statistically significantly increased knee pain on postoperative day 3 ( p = 0.004), and thigh pain on postoperative day 1 ( p < 0.001), 2 ( p < 0.001), and 3 ( p = 0.027), and longer time intervals to achieve straight leg raise maneuver ( p = 0.006) compared to group 2. However, it did not affect overall narcotic consumption, knee pain (day 1–2), functional recovery, ROM, ability to do the first walk, Oxford knee score, length of stay, and complication rate. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of 6-month postoperative knee score, surgical time, and blood loss between the two groups. Conclusion Tourniquet use diminishes quadriceps function and increases postoperative thigh pain and, to a lesser extent, knee pain. We, therefore, recommend the use of a tourniquet only during cementing. Level of evidence 1; prospective randomized study.