Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Were Not Associated With Decreased Arthrofibrosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a challenging problem. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have been associated with decreased muscle fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether perioperative use of ARBs was associated with a reduction in arthrofibrosis and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) in patients undergoing primary TKA at 90 days and 1 year postoperative. In this retrospective study, the authors used a national database to evaluate patients undergoing TKA for primary osteoarthritis from 2007 to 2017. They evaluated patients with filled prescriptions for ARBs within the study time frame and the specific type of ARB and its association with arthrofibrosis and MUA. After adjusting for age, sex, a comorbidity index, and obesity, any ARB or specific ARBs were not associated with a reduction in the rate of arthrofibrosis or MUA after TKA (P≥.05). Male sex, age 55 years or older, and obesity were associated with a reduction in the rate of arthrofibrosis and MUA after TKA (P≤.05). Studies should be performed to evaluate ARBs to see whether there is a more specific role in preventing joint stiffness in certain patient subpopulations following TKA. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(x):xx-xx.].