Efficacy of postoperative analgesia by continuous femoral block in patients with total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Objective To compare the analgesia of continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) with infiltration anesthesia and patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Methods Sixty patients, scheduled for selective unilateral total knee arthroplasty, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30) using a random number table: infiltration anesthesia and patient controlled intravenous analgesia group (group A) , continuous femoral nerve block group (group B) . VAS at rest and during activity was recorded at different times after surgery. The motor function of the affected extremity was assessed and scored after surgery by Modified Bromage score system. The total consumption of tramadol within 96 h after surgery was recorded. Results Compared with group A, VAS at rest and during activity after surgery was significantly decreased in group B (P 0.05) . Conclusion CFNB can provide sufficient analgesia without influencing the recovery of sensory and motor function for the patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Key words: Femoral nerve; Nerve block; Pain, postoperative; Analgesia; Arthroplasty, Replacement, knee