Air wave pressure therapy in prevention of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity after total knee arthroplasty

Tang Jin; Yang Tao; Xiong Xiao-jiang; Chen Lin; Cheng Zhi-yong; Zhan Fang-biao; Liao Yi-ming

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.52.007

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Numerous studies have shown that air wave pressure therapy plays an important role in prevention of deep venous thrombosis of lower limb after a major operation on the hip. <br> OBJECTIVE:To explore the efficacy of air wave pressure therapy on deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity in patients with total knee arthroplasty. <br> METHODS:A total of 80 patients with total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Patients in the control group were treated only with conventional method to help the patient massage the lower extremity by the nurse and combined with active functional exercise;patients in the experimental group were treated with air wave pressure therapy at 2 days postoperatively, and were also treated with conventional method to help the patient massage the lower extremity by the nurse and combined with active functional exercise. Swel ing index, coagulation index and the number of patients with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity were recorded in both groups. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 2 weeks after treatment, swel ing index, coagulation index and the number of patients with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity were significantly reduced in the experimental group, and its effects were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Early use of air wave pressure therapy after total knee arthroplasty can al eviate limb swel ing effectively and have obvious advantages in improving coagulation index and blood coagulation condition and in preventing deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity after total knee arthroplasty.