Cryo/Cuff Compared to Epidural Anesthesia After Knee Unicompartmental Arthroplasty

The aim of this prospective, randomized, and controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of cold compressive dressings (Cryo/Cuff) and epidural anesthesia (EDA) in the postoperative management of primary unicondylar knee arthroplasty. Sixty patients (61 knees) were randomized into 3 groups. No significant difference between groups was detected with respect to subjective pain, bleeding, swelling, range of motion, and function. The consumption of morphine was, however, significantly higher in the control group the first 24 hours than both the EDA group (P < .001) and the Cryo group (P = .028). There was no significant difference in morphine consumption between the 2 treatment groups. Based on the results of this study, Cryo/Cuff seems to be a rational, effective, risk-free, and well-tolerated alternative to EDA to reduce pain and morphine after unicondylar knee arthroplasty.