Hrev_master Veins and Lymphatics 2017; volume 6:6622 [page 2] [Veins and Lymphatics 2017; 6:6622] Compression with the Juxta Reduction Kit ® (medi) in patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty Ad A. Hendrickx,1,2 Wim P. Krijnen,1 Robert J. Damstra,2 Richard Bimmel,3 Cees P. van der Schans2,4 1Expert Centre of Lympho-Vascular Medicine, Nij Smellinghe Hospital, Drachten; 2Research and Innovation Group in Health Care and Nursing, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen; 3Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Nij Smellinghe Hospital, Drachten; 4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands Introduction Total knee replacement (TKA) is a suc- cessful operation in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Enhanced recovery pro- grams, with emphasis on early mobilization and optimal analgesics have reduced hospi- tal stay and peri-operative morbidity.1,2 Patients undergoing a knee arthroplasty can experience pain, swelling, a decrease in knee-extension strength, loss of range of motion (ROM), causing a decline in func- tional performance.3-6 Problems with the activation of the quadriceps, in the early postoperative phase can be related to either the surgical procedure or arthrogenic reflex inhibition of the muscle related to pain and swelling.7 Post-operative swelling is mainly caused by intra-articular bleeding and inflammation of peri articular tissues.8 Impaired functional performance can delay rehabilitation and affect length of stay and patient-reported outcomes.8 Thereby, excessive swelling is associat- ed with increased rates of wound dehis- cence and infection in surgical wounds.9 Compression therapy is a frequently used modality in the postoperative treat- ment to reduce swelling. The literature is not consistent about the effects of compres- sion therapy. This is due to the use of vari- ous materials, the time frame of application and the different outcome measurements used.8,10,11 Our experiences with compres- sion in the treatment of venous ulcers and lymphedema create possibilities to intro- duce compression technologies in other fields of medicine, such as orthopaedic sur- gery. Regarding the type of bandage, inelastic compression bandages show a low, tolera- ble resting pressure and a more effective activation of the deep venous system and calf muscle pump with ambulation (work- ing pressure) compared to elastic materi- als.12,13 The Juxta Reduction Kit® (JRK) is a non-elastic compression device, suitable for self-management, which can be tailored to the circumference of the leg. The device allows full ROM, so ambulation and exer- cise will not be impaired. It is hypothesized that immediate post- operative compression and prolonging the period of use until 6 weeks postoperatively will prevent excessive swelling and initiate an earlier reduction. Reduced swelling improves range of motion, knee extension strength, reduces pain, supporting the reha- bilitation process. The research questions concern feasibil- ity and effectiveness of the treatment on volume, pain, wound aspects and functional recovery. In this article we will focus on study design and feasibility aspects. Materials and Methods In Nij Smellinghe hospital the fast-track principles have been implemented in joint replacement surgery. Ambulation and exercise of the patient start 4 hours postoperative and patients are discharged when they are functional inde- pendent. Table 1 shows the compression and exercise protocols for the control and treat- ment group. Patients are instructed about the use of the JRK prior to the operation and during clinical stay. They are instructed to apply a firm, but tolerable dose of compression. After having signed the inform consent patients are randomly assigned to either the control or the treatment group. Inclusion criteria: i) 18 years of age or older; ii) patients undergoing a primary elective total knee arthroplasty; iii) the patient is able to understand the study and is willing to give written Informed Consent. Exclusion criteria: i) allergy against one of the used materials; ii) severe systemic diseases causing peripheral edema; iii) acute superficial or deep vein thrombosis; iv) arterial occlusive disease (stadium II, III or IV) ABPI<0.8; v) local infection in the therapy area; vi) auto-immunological disor- ders or vasculitis; vii) use of systemic corti- costeroids; viii) inability to don, doff and adjust the device. The local Medical Ethical Committee approved the study. The study was regis- tered under ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02375945. Measurements and data collection Feasibility data are collected about the number of patients recruited and dropped out, time required for the whole process (measurements, preparation of the JRK, instruction of the patient and administra- tion), pain in action (PA) and in rest (PR), the ability to exercise and sort and number of complications. Data collection was pre-operative, day 1 and day 2 during hospital stay and at day 14, 42 and 84 after discharge. Statistical analyses All data are analyzed with the program- ming language R version 3.3.0 for statistical computing. A P-value smaller than or equal to 0.05 is considered to be statistically sig- nificant. Results In total 68 patients were included (32 patients in the control group and 36 patients in the treatment group). 19 patients in the control group (13 drop outs) and 20 patients the treatment group (16 drop outs) complet- ed the study. Measurements, preparation of the JRK, instruction and administration demanded 6 hours per patient. Pain scores in rest and action are shown in Figure 1. Figures 2 and 3 show the inter- action data plots. The ability to exercise was successful in the first phase of recovery. When the ROM comes closer to the 90 degrees of flexion the material strips up at the back of the knee and restricts the possibility to flex the knee. No complications did occur. Correspondence: Ad A. Hendrickx, Nij Smellinghe Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Compagnonsplein 1, 9202 NN Drachten, The Netherlands. E-mail: a.hendrickx@nijsmellinghe.nl This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (by-nc 4.0). ©Copyright A.A. Hendrickx et al., 2017 Licensee PAGEPress, Italy Veins and Lymphatics 2017; 6:6622 doi:10.4081/vl.2017.6622 No n c om me rci al us e o nly Conference presentation [Veins and Lymphatics 2017; 6:6622] [page 3] Conclusions The VAS scores for pain in rest and in action showed no significant differences between the two groups. Regarding feasibil- ity this is considered positive, because more pain was expected by adding compression in the first phase of recovery. A limitation of this study is that no data were collected about the use of pain-medication. The anal- gesic influence of compression on the pain cannot be stated. This pilot study demonstrates a feasible concept. Regarding outcome on volume the preliminary results show a positive effect in favor of the treatment group, supporting the need for further research. Table 1. Compression and exercise protocol. Control group Treatment group • Immediately postoperative until 24 hours postoperative compression • Immediately postoperative until 6 weeks postoperative, 24/7 with elastic bandages for the knee region with Elastomuhl Haft® (Jobst) compression with the JRK ®+ Struva®, class 2 anti-thrombosis stocking • From 24h until 6 weeks postoperative an anti-thrombosis stocking, (medi) Comprinet stocking ® (BSN Medical) • Ambulation and exercise program according to the fast-track principles • Ambulation and exercise program according to the fast-track principles Figure 1. Pain scores in rest and action. Figure 2. Interaction plot pain in action (PA). No n c om me rci al us e o nly Conference presentation [page 4] [Veins and Lymphatics 2017; 6:6622] References 1. Khan SK, Malviya A, Muller SD, et al. Reduced short-term complications and mortality following enhanced recovery primary hip and knee arthroplasty: results from 6,000 consecutive proce- dures. Acta Orthop 2014;85:26-31. 2. Berend KR, Lombardi Jr AV, Mallory TH. Rapid recovery protocol for peri- operative care of total hip and total knee arthroplasty patients. Surg Technol Int 2004;13:239-47. 3. Mizner RL, Petterson SC, Snyder- Mackler L. Quadriceps strength and the time course of functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2005;35:424-36. 4. Mizner RL, Petterson SC, Stevens JE, et al. Early quadriceps strength loss after total knee arthro- plasty. The con- tributions of muscle atrophy and failure of volun- tary muscle activation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87:1047-53. 5. Mizner RL, Snyder-Mackler L. Altered loading during walking and sit-to-stand is affected by quadriceps weakness after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Res 2005;23:1083-90. 6. Stevens JE, Mizner RL, Snyder- Mackler L. Quadriceps strength and volitional activation before and after total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. J Orthop Res 2003;21:775-9. 7. Holm B, Kristensen MT, Bencke J, et al. Loss of knee-extension strength is related to knee swelling after total knee arthroplasty. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010;91:1770-6. 8. Brock TM, Sprowson AP, Muller S, Reed MR. Short-stretch inelastic com- pression bandage in knee swelling fol- lowing total knee arthroplasty study (STICKS): Study protocol for a ran- domised controlled feasibility study. Trials 2015;16:87. 9. Yu GV, Schubert EK, Khoury WE. The Jones compression bandage. Review and clinical applications. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 2002;92:221-31. 10. Munk S, Jensen NJ, Andersen I, et al. Effect of compression therapy on knee swelling and pain after total knee arthroplasty. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2013;21:388-92. 11. Andersen LO, Husted H, Otte KS, et al. A compression bandage improves local infiltration analgesia in total knee arthroplasty. Acta Orthop 2008;79:806. 12. Partsch H, Menzinger G, Mostbeck A. Inelastic leg compression is more effec- tive to reduce deep venous refluxes than elastic bandages. Dermatol Surg 1999;25:695-700. 13. Spence RK, Cahall E. Inelastic versus elastic leg compression in chronic venous insufficiency: a comparison of limb size and venous hemodynamics. J Vasc Surg 1996;24:783-7. Figure 3. Interaction plot pain in rest (PR). No n c om me rci al us e o nly