Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Evaluation of skin temperature, reactive C protein, and hemosedimentation speed variation in uncomplicated primary knee total arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To study the variation of skin temperature values (deltaT) on operative site, of reactive C protein (RCP) and of hemosedimentation speed (HSS) in patients submitted to primary knee total arthroplasty (KTA), in an attempt to establish a correlation among its curves over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical study evaluated 29 patients followed up during 12 weeks, with measurements of skin temperature in both knees and RCP and HSS serum dosages. RESULTS: After comparing the variables tested (deltaT, RCP and HSS), no statistical correlation was observed for both the Pearson’s test (parametric test) and the Spearman’s test (non-parametric test) among variables. Skin temperature variation follows a different pattern from that observed both for RCP and for HSS, with no correlation among curves. A standard curve was established for the three variables, and a statistically significant reduction was seen in RCP and HSS values from pre- to post-operative period. CONCLUSION: No correlation was observed between skin temperature and HSS and RCP levels in patients submitted to uncomplicated primary KTA.

Replacement; Knee; Temperature; C-reactive protein


ATHA EDITORA Rua: Machado Bittencourt, 190, 4º andar - Vila Mariana - São Paulo Capital - CEP 04044-000, Telefone: 55-11-5087-9502 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actaortopedicabrasileira@uol.com.br