The reduction in blood loss with intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid in unilateral total knee arthroplasty without operative drains: a randomized controlled trial

80 patients scheduled for primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive an intra-operative, intra-articular injection of either tranexamic acid (TXA) or saline solution. This was done to determine whether intra-articular TXA injections are safe and efficacious in the reduction of blood loss and need for blood transfusion following total knee arthroplasty. Volume of blood lost, need for blood transfusion, and vascular Doppler ultrasonography were assessed to determine outcomes. Results indicated that patients who had received the TXA injection had significantly less blood loss, and significantly less need for blood transfusions. No patients displayed adverse events to the surgery or injections.