Heat Application to Quadriceps Effect on Pain After a Total Knee Arthroplasty

The Idaho Clinic

Status

Completed

Conditions

Arthritis Knee

Treatments

Other: Rice Sock and Instructions to heat the quadriceps.

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05462483

IdahoClinic

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to explore an under-researched aspect of recovery. Typically, post-operative care after a knee arthroplasty consists of compression (stockings), medications, rest, ice, elevation, physical therapy, and wound care. All of these treatments perform their role well, however, medications such opiates run the risk of addiction. An additional method of pain management such as heat application to the surrounding musculature warrants exploration.

The goal of this study is to reduce the amount of pain, and improve the quality of life in post-operative patients. Pain, stiffness, symptoms, quality of life and function of the knee will be evaluated utilizing patient-reported measures and range of motion. Patients will be assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome survey (KOOS Jr), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and PROMIS. Patients will be given these surveys during their two and six week check-in with the surgeon. In addition to these patient-reported measures, the investigators will also be tracking range of motion (ROM) and opioid usage. The data will then be collected via the patient's electronic health record, or by the researcher directly. The treatment group will be given a written order to apply heat to the quadriceps at least three times per day for 10-15 minutes each. This can be done in four hour increments or when patients symptoms begin to worsen. The patient will receive a rice sock for heat application. The control group will not be withheld from heat application, but will not be instructed to do so. The control group will instead follow the current standard of care as advised by the physician.

Enrollment

117 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 100 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty ages 18 and older at Saint Alphonsus Hospital and at The Idaho Clinic between the months of June-February, or until the estimated sample size (150) is reached. Must be able to withstand heat to thigh. Must consent to research.

Exclusion criteria