88 patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were randomized to surgery with or without the application of a tourniquet. The purpose of this study was to compare functional recovery between groups, primarily though range of motion in flexion, with secondary functional outcomes of range of motion in extension, the straight leg raise test, and the timed up-and-go (TUG) test. In addition, pain at rest on a visual analog scale was assessed. Patients were followed at 1 and 3 days postoperatively, and at 3 months postoperatively. No significant differences between groups were observed in range of motion or straight leg raise test outcomes. TUG test time at 3 months significantly favoured the non-tourniquet group, while VAS pain at rest score at 24 hours significantly favoured the tourniquet group.