Drug correction of edema in patients after total knee arthroplasty

Background. Total knee arthroplasty is an effective method of treating severe forms of gonarthrosis for today. The combination of clinical symptoms of gonarthrosis and chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by a greater severity of pain syndrome, functional disorders and a decrease in the quality of life and the development of pronounced edema of the soft tissues of the lower leg in the postoperative period. The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamics of postoperative edema of the lower leg in patients after total knee arthroplasty when using a combination of 150 mg troxerutin and 1.5 mg carbazochrome administered as intramuscular injections. Materials and methods. Twenty-four patients (7 men, 17 women) who underwent total knee arthroplasty were examined. Their average age was 64.20 ± 5.68 years. The patients were prescribed the combination of 150 mg troxerutin and 1.5 mg carbazochrome (3 ml) intramuscularly once a day for 10 days after surgery. The dynamics of edema of the soft tissues of the lower leg was studied using the dynamic edema index. An integral quantitative index was obtained to determine the dynamics of edema as well. Results. In the postoperative period, there was an increase in the lower leg edema from the second day after surgery. The maximum value was observed on the fourth day, and from the fifth day, the dynamic edema index began to decrease and reached negative numbers on the eleventh day, which indicated a decrease in the lower leg edema. Measurement of circumference at different levels of the lower leg showed that the maximum development of edema occurred on the fourth day after surgery. From the fifth day, the lower leg circumference decreased, and on the ninth day after surgery, it achieved preoperative values, which also indicated a decrease in edema. Conclusions. The use of intramuscular combination of 150 mg troxerutin and 1.5 mg carbazochrome (3 ml) in the postoperative period in patients after total knee arthroplasty allows to reduce effectively the manifestations of the lower leg edema, which contributes to a decrease in the intensity of pain syndrome, a faster restoration of the function of the knee joint and the operated limb, as well as improves treatment outcomes and the quality of life of patients. The combination of 150 mg troxerutin and 1.5 mg carbazochrome can be widely used in modern clinical practice after all orthopedic surgeries, in particular, knee arthroplasty, for injuries and edema of various origins.