Trial reportTrials2017
STICKS study - Short-sTretch Inelastic Compression bandage in Knee Swelling following total knee arthroplasty - a feasibility study.
Trial report in Trials, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- Clinical practice guideline for physical therapist management of total knee arthroplasty: revision 2026.Physical therapy · 2026Guideline
- Should compression bandage be performed after total knee arthroplasty? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2020Pooled it
- Are perioperative interventions effective in preventing chronic pain after primary total knee replacement? A systematic review.BMJ open · 2019Pooled it
- Randomized controlled trial of compressive cryotherapy versus standard cryotherapy after total knee arthroplasty: pain, swelling, range of motion and functional recovery.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Trial
- Impact of compression stockings on leg swelling after arthroscopy - a prospective randomised pilot study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2019Trial
- Does an Elastic Compression Bandage Provide Any Benefit After Primary TKA?Clinical orthopaedics and related research · 2019Trial
- Clinical Outcomes of Non-Elastic Compression Bandage Versus Elastic Bandage Following Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Non-compressive sleeves versus compression stockings after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective pilot study.Journal of orthopaedics · 2024Article
- The past and future of peri-operative interventions to reduce arthrogenic quadriceps muscle inhibition after total knee arthroplasty: A narrative review.Osteoarthritis and cartilage open · 2024Review
- [Effect of pneumatic tourniquet on perioperative blood loss in total knee arthroplasty].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2019Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPostoperative knee swelling is common and impairs early postoperative function following total knee arthroplasty. It was hypothesised that the use of a short-stretch, inelastic compression bandage would reduce knee swelling and improve pain and early function. The aim of this study was to provide preliminary data and test feasibility with a view to informing a larger, future trial.
methodsFifty consecutive patients selected for primary total knee arthroplasty underwent distance randomisation to receive a short-stretch, inelastic compression bandage or a standard wool and crepe bandage for the first 24 h postoperatively. Study feasibility including recruitment rates, retention rates and complications were analysed. The Oxford Knee Score, the EQ-5D-3L index score, knee swelling, knee range of motion, visual analogue pain score and length of stay were compared between groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed adjusting for the preoperative measurement.
resultsSixty-eight percent of eligible patients were recruited into the trial. The retention rate was 88%. There were no complications regarding compression bandage use. There was a greater mean but non-significant improvement in Oxford Knee Score (p = 0.580; point estimate = 2.1; 95% CI -3.288 to 7.449) and EQ-5D-3L index score (p = 0.057; point estimate = 0.147; 95% CI -0.328 to 0.005) in the compression bandage group at 6 months. There was no significant difference between groups regarding knee swelling, knee range of motion, visual analogue pain score, complications and length of stay.
conclusionPreliminary data suggests that the use of an inelastic, short-stretch compression bandage following total knee arthroplasty is a safe technique that is acceptable to patients. A larger, multicentre trial is required to determine its effect postoperatively.
trial registrationThe study was registered with Current Controlled Trials, identifier: ISRCTN86903140 . Registered on 30 May 2013.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.