The influence of knee flexion position on postoperative blood loss and knee range of motion after total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

To summarize research progress of the effect of knee flexion position on postoperative blood loss and knee range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The relevant literature at home and abroad was reviewed and summarized from mechanism, research status, progress, and clinical outcome. The differences of clinical results caused by different positions, flexion angles, and keeping time were compared. Keeping knee flexion after TKA can reduce postoperative blood loss through the angle change of blood vessels and increase knee early ROM by improving flexion muscle strength. When the flexion angle of the knee is large and the flexion position is keeping for a long time, the postoperative blood loss and the knee ROM can be significantly improved. However, the amount of blood loss and ROM are not further improved in the patients with keeping knee flexion for more than 24 hours compared with less than 24 hours. Keeping knee flexion after TKA is a simple and effective method to reduce postoperative blood loss and improve knee ROM. However, the optimal knee flexion angle and time are needed to be further explored.