Influence of the tourniquet on tibial cement mantle thickness in primary total knee arthroplasty

90 patients with osteoarthritis undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were randomized to undergo the procedure either with or without the use of a tourniquet. The study was conducted in order to determine the effect of tourniquet use on cement mantle thickness, which is thought to play a role in implant stability and survivorship. The results of this study indicated that the tourniquet group had a significantly greater cement mantle thickness. However, the use of a tourniquet resulted in significantly increased postoperative pain and total blood loss.