Purpose: To examine the difference between compression bandaging and cold therapy after total knee arthroplasty.
Sample: Eighty-four postoperative, unilateral, total knee replacement, surgical clients.
Procedure: Clients were randomized into two groups: those receiving compression bandaging, and those receiving cryo-pad technology. Subjects were assessed for total length of stay, blood loss, blood transfusion, swelling, flexion, pain, and opiate use.
Findings: Unlike other studies, the results of these data showed no significant differences between groups on the measured outcomes. A simple cost benefit analysis shows that the compression bandage is cheaper and more labor efficient than the cold therapy as delivered by cryo-pad technology.