Non-compressive sleeves versus compression stockings after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective pilot study.

Background: Compression stockings are routinely prescribed after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Non-compressive sleeves embedded with semiconductor elements (Incrediwear) are designed to enhance blood flow. The objective of this investigation is to compare compression stockings and Incrediwear on post-TKA measures. Methods: In this single-center prospective clinical pilot study, patients undergoing TKA were assigned to either the compression stocking (control) or Incrediwear (experimental) group. Subjects were evaluated preoperatively and postoperative at 3 weeks for pain, knee effusion, knee range of motion (ROM), thigh and calf circumferences. Results: Incrediwear subjects had slightly higher preoperative effusion than controls (mean effusion 1.38 vs. 1.16, p = .28); however, by week 3, Incrediwear subjects had lower levels of effusion than controls (1.12 vs. 1.56, p = .015). At week 3, when compared to pre-op, Incrediwear subjects experienced a 19% decrease in effusion while controls experienced a 35% increase in effusion (p = .003). Preoperatively, there were no differences observed between Incrediwear subjects and controls flexion ROM (mean ROM 117 vs. 116, p = .67); however, by week 3, Incrediwear subjects had greater flexion ROM than controls (113 vs. 108, p = .02). Incrediwear subjects experienced only a 3% decrease in flexion ROM while controls experienced a 7% decrease in ROM (p = .07). Incrediwear subjects reported higher preoperative pain than controls (mean pain 4.2 vs. 3.2, p = .051); however, by week 3, there was no difference observed between these groups (2.9 vs. 3.0, p = .440). Discussion: Non-compressive sleeves embedded with semiconductor elements (Incrediwear) appeared to reduce effusion and improve knee flexion better than traditional compression stockings 3 weeks after total knee arthroplasty.