Abstract
BACKGROUND: Total knee replacement surgery is among the most common major orthopedic surgery performed in cases of osteoarthritis on the knee joint. Total knee arthroplasty is considered to cause moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. No clear consensus in the available literature suggests a clear advantage between epidural tramadol and intravenous tramadol postoperatively due to the complications associated with an epidural catheter. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of epidural tramadol and intravenous tramadol in pain relief and functional recovery in postoperative total knee replacement patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases operated for total knee replacement and postoperatively managed by epidural tramadol and intravenous tramadol were studied. This group included 20 patients of total knee replacement managed by epidural tramadol compared to 20 patients of total knee replacement managed by intravenous tramadol. RESULTS: Patients in the group managed postoperatively with intravenous tramadol for postoperative pain management showed a better functional outcome and pain relief as compared to patients managed with epidural tramadol. It was noted that in patients managed with intravenous tramadol, the knee range of motion and static and dynamic quadriceps exercises were started earlier and the patients were more compliant, which intern helped to achieve a better functional outcome posttotal knee replacement surgery. CONCLUSION: We would like to suggest in our limited 40 patient study group, the pain managed in patients by intravenous tramadol showed a better functional outcome as compared to the pain managed in the patients by epidural tramadol. Within our study group of 40 patients, it was noted that patient compliance and comfort was better in cases where tramadol was administered through an intravenous line as compared to an epidural catheter with no statistically significant difference in postoperative pain as well as functional outcome and recovery.
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