Efficacy of Intra-articular Analgesic Injection Versus Femoral Nerve Block for Pain Relief after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

This is a quasiexperimental research which objectives are to study efficiency of intra-articular analgesic injection and compare efficiency for pain relief between intra-articular analgesic injection and femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty at Somdech Phrapinklao hospital. 40 patients with operated total knee arthroplasty, randomised to 2 groups (20 patients). Control group received femoral nerve block, another group received intra-articular injection. Both groups receive spinal morphine nerve block, operated by same surgeon, same surgical technique and same kind of implant. After surgery all patients record VAS score at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours, doses of injection and oral analgesic drug, degree of knee flexion and hospital stay. Statistics used percentage, mean, standard deviation and independent t-test. We found patients received intra-articular analgesic injection had lower VAS pain score, lower dose analgesic drug than patients who received femoral nerve block and more knee flexion postoperatively in statistic significantly. And both Intra-articular analgesic injection and femoral nerve block can decrease VAS pain score, decrease dose analgesic drug postoperatively and improved knee flexion suitable for guideline pain relief in total knee arthroplasty