The limited use of a tourniquet during total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial

60 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to tourniquet use for the duration of the surgery or for shorter tourniquet application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of limited tourniquet use as opposed to tourniquet use throughout the procedure with relation to blood loss and postoperative pain. Outcomes were assessed over 14 days postoperatively and no patients were lost during this time. The results indicated that patients who received limited tourniquet application experienced significantly reduced pain over the 14 day postoperative period than standard tourniquet recipients. However, between both the groups, there was no significant difference in blood loss up to 48 hours postoperatively.