The Effect of Elastic Stocking Application after Total Knee Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To know the effect of elastic stocking on reducing edema and preventing deep vein thrombosis(DVT) after total knee arthroplasty(TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients who had received simultaneous bilateral TKA was prospectively evaluated. One extremity was accoutered with elastic stocking while the other, not. The lower extremity circumference was measured at postopertive 2, 5, 7 and 10 days. The patient's satisfaction was asked by means of a questionnaire. We evaluated the DVT case also. RESULTS: The thigh and calf circumferences of elastic stocking side were average 0.70 cm and 0.58 cm shorter than those of non-stocking side, this was found to be statiscally insignificant(p>0.05). Satisfaction rate was 76%. One case of DVT occurred in each of the two groups. CONCLUSION: Elastic stocking application after TKA cannot be expected to reduce lower extremity edema or to prevent DVT. However, the satisfaction rate was high.