Tourniquet

A tourniquet in knee surgery is an inflatable wrapping which goes around the upper thigh to stop blood flow during an operation.

tourniquet during knee surgery
Before inflating the tourniquet, the leg is usually elevated and wrapped toghtly with an elastic bandage to 'exsanguinate' it (get the blood out). Then the tourniquet is blown up above the level of the blood pressure, and the elastic bandage is removed.
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Related Content

Surgical procedures carrying increased risk of leaving a patient with a stiff knee

A video from one of our courses, discussing those knee conditions that may be complicated by knee stiffness.

Tourniquets

A discussion of how a tourniquet is used during surgery, and problems associated with tourniquets.

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FORUM DISCUSSIONS

Bruising and pain after tourniquet.

Tourniquet/severe pain?

Tourniquet palsy

CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS

Tourniquets and exsanguinators: a potential source of infection in the orthopedic operating theater? Brennan SA, Walls RJ, Smyth E, Al Mulla T and O'Byrne JM. Acta Orthop. 2009 Apr 29; 80(2): 251–255.