The cause of dissatisfaction following total
knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains elusive. Much attention has been
focused on static mechanical alignment as a basis for surgical success and
optimising outcomes. More recently, research on both normal and
osteoarthritic knees, as well as kinematically aligned TKAs, has
suggested that other specific and dynamic factors may be more important
than a generic target of 0 ± 3º of a neutral axis. Consideration
of these other variables is necessary to understand ideal targets
and move beyond generic results. Cite this article:
Despite advances in contemporary hip and knee
arthroplasty, blood loss continues to be an issue. Though blood transfusion
has long been used to treat post-operative anemia, the associated
risks are well established. The objective of this article is to
present two practical and effective approaches to minimising blood
loss and transfusion rates in hip and knee arthroplasty: the use
of antifibrinolytic medications such as tranexamic acid and the
adoption of more conservative transfusion indications.
