Autologous platelet rich plasma preparations, commonly referred to as platelet gel, have been reported to have benefits when used in total knee replacement of less blood loss and better motion, with few reported complications. This retrospective review of 268 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasty cases compares postsurgical range of motion at 2, 8, and 12 weeks, knee manipulation rates, change in hemoglobin, and complications between one group receiving a platelet gel preparation (135 cases), and an equivalent group receiving no platelet gel preparation (133 control cases). No difference was found between groups in manipulation rates, knee range of motion, or changes in hemoglobin ( ). The use of platelet gel in this study did not have a significant effect on hemoglobin at 72 hours postoperatively, knee range of motion, or manipulation rates up to 3 months post-op in this patient cohort. 1. Introduction A wide range of benefits have been reported with autologous plasma preparations administered into the surgical wounds with few reported problems [1–3]. Autologous platelet gel is a platelet rich plasma substance that is derived from a patient’s blood. When used in total knee arthroplasty, 55？cc of blood is taken from the patient immediately prior to surgery, centrifuged to separate the blood components and allow extraction of the platelet rich and platelet poor plasma. This combination contains a mixture of plasma, fibrin, and platelets as well as growth factors, clotting factors, and vascular endothelial and fibroblast stimulants [4]. The mixture is stored in a syringe and mixed with bovine thrombin during its application to the surgical wound. The clinical effects of autologous platelet gel when used in total knee arthroplasty have been evaluated by several different authors who found varying degrees of benefit from its use. Some reported benefits include improved knee range of motion, decreased manipulation rates, decreased blood loss, and decreased hospital length of stay [1–3]. This review will compare the effect of platelet gel usage in total knee replacement surgery with respect to surgical blood loss, postoperative complications, range of motion, and knee function score. 2. Materials and Methods Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this study. There is no conflict of interests with any of the authors. A retrospective review was conducted of 268 consecutive primary total knee replacements in 262 patients all performed by the senior author between June 2006 and October 2008. The first 135 surgeries received platelet gel and
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