A pneumatic tourniquet is often used during total knee arthroplasty. However, its effect on postoperative outcomes as soft tissue damage resulting in delayed recovery remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to compare tourniquet use versus non-tourniquet use during total knee arthroplasty for short-term functional recovery.

In a prospective cohort design, consecutive series of patients who underwent primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the Bergman Clinic, the Netherlands were investigated. Patients scheduled for primary TKA due to osteoarthritis, age between 50 and 75 years and with Dutch language proficiency were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were inflammatory arthritis, severe cardiac complaints, severe pulmonary disorders, Body Mass Index (BMI) >35, severe coagulation disorders or hospitalization in the previous two months before surgery. Each patient included in the study signed informed consent. The research protocol was approved by the Regional Ethics Committee VCMO in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, registration number W13.022.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Scheduled TKA due to osteoarthritis
• Age between 50 and 75 years
• Dutch language proficiency
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inflammatory arthritis
• Severe cardiac complaints
• Severe pulmonary disorders
• Body Mass Index >35
• Severe coagulation disorders
• Hospitalization in the previous two months before surgery

In a prospective cohort design, consecutive series of patients who underwent primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty in the Bergman Clinic Naarden, the Netherlands were investigated.