Intraoperative Periarticular Injection Research Articles

Intraoperative intravenous versus periarticular injection of glucocorticoids in improving clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective, randomized and controlled study.

Glucocorticoids have been widely used in perioperative period for postoperative pain relief after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the optimal administration protocols of glucocorticoids remain controversial. This study aims to compare the efficacy of glucocorticoids between intravenous and periarticular injection on clinical outcomes. A total of 114 patients were randomly assigned to intravenous (IV) group (n = 57) and periarticular injection (PI) group (n = 57). The IV group received 10mg dexamethasone intravenously and the PI group received periarticular injection of 10mg dexamethasone during the procedure. The clinical outcomes were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), knee society score (KSS), range of motion (ROM), knee swelling, inflammation markers and complications after TKA. The VAS score during walking at 2nd day postoperatively was lower in the PI group compared with the IV group (2.08 ± 1.45 vs 2.73 ± 1.69, p = .039), and there was no significant difference at the other time points of VAS score in two groups. The inflammation markers, knee swelling, knee ROM and KSS score were not statistically different. Vomiting and other complications occurrence were not significantly different between the two groups. Intraoperative periarticular injection of glucocorticoids has similar analgesic effect compared to intravenous in the postoperative period following TKA and may be even more effective on the second postoperative day. In addition, periarticular injection of glucocorticoids does not impose an excess risk or complication on patients.

Implementation of a nonopioid multimodal analgesia protocol significantly reduces opioids prescribed after total shoulder arthroplasty: a retrospective study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nonopioid multimodal pain protocol on the amount of opioids prescribed, pain level, and complications in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) compared to a standard opioid regimen. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 2 consecutive cohorts who underwent either primary anatomic or reverse TSA by a single surgeon. The opioid cohort included patients from 2016 to 2020 who received an intraoperative periarticular injection (Ropivacaine, Epinephrine, and Ketorolac cocktail) and were prescribed Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 5/325 mg on discharge. The nonopioid cohort included patients from 2020 to 2022, consisting of preoperative oral analgesics (Celecoxib, Pregabalin, and Tramadol); intraoperative intravenous Dexamethasone and Acetaminophen and periarticular injection; and postoperative oral Dexamethasone and oral analgesics (Pregabalin, Tizanidine, Magnesium, Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen). The nonopioid cohort had the option to ask for an opioid prescription postoperatively if needed. Patient-reported outcomes collected included visual analog scale scores for pain and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System up to 1 year after surgery. Opioid consumption using Morphine Milligram Equivalents were compared up to 3 months postoperatively. ResultsThere were 232 patients in the opioid and 112 in the nonopioid cohorts, respectively. The nonopioid protocol had lower mean visual analog scale scores at preoperative (6.4 vs. 7.4, P < .05), 10-day (3.5 vs. 4.2, P < .05), and 6-week postoperative time points (2.1 vs. 2.8, P < .05), but no differences between the groups were noted 3 months postoperatively. No differences in Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System–upper extremity, pain interference, or depression were found preoperatively and up to 1 year after surgery. Opioid consumption was lower in the nonopioid cohort at all time periods (P < .01). Patients in the nonopioid cohort had significantly lower Morphine Milligram Equivalents at discharge, 10-day, 6-week, and 90-day time periods (P < .01) when compared to the opioid cohort. When analyzing risk factors for continued opioid prescriptions for the whole cohort, preoperative opioid use within 90 days before surgery (relative risk 4.69 [95% confidence interval 3.18-6.91; P < .01) and current tobacco use (relative risk 2.61 [95% confidence interval 1.50-4.54]; P = .01) were associated with continued refills >30 days. Complications in the perioperative period and 90-day hospital readmissions were not significantly different between the groups. ConclusionA nonopioid postoperative regimen for patients undergoing TSA significantly reduces opioid prescriptions with similar patient-reported outcomes, subjective pain scores, and without increased complication rates compared to an opioid-only regimen.

Periarticular injection in addition to interscalene nerve block can decrease opioid consumption and pain following total shoulder arthroplasty: a comparison cohort study.

Interscalene nerve block (INB) is an effective technique to provide postoperative analgesia for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). However, the analgesic effects of the block typically resolve between 8 and 24 hours postadministration, which results in rebound pain and subsequent increased opioid use. The objective of this study was to address this issue by determining how adding an intraoperative periarticular injection (PAI) in combination with INB affects acute postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores in patients undergoing TSA. We hypothesized that compared with INB alone, INB+PAI will significantly reduce opioid consumption and pain scores for the first 24 hours postsurgery. We reviewed 130 consecutive patients who underwent elective primary TSA at a single tertiary institution. The first 65 patients were treated with INB alone, followed by 65 patients treated with INB+PAI. The INB used was 15-20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine. The PAI used was 50 mL of a combination of ropivacaine (123 mg), epinephrine (0.25 mg), clonidine (40 μg), and ketorolac (15 mg). The PAI was injected using a standardized protocol: 10 mL into the subcutaneous tissues prior to incision, 15 mL into the supraspinatus fossa, 15 mL at the base of the coracoid process, and 10 mL into the deltoid and pectoralis muscles-a protocol analogous with a previously described technique. For all patients, a standardized postoperative oral pain medication protocol was used. The primary outcome was acute postoperative opioid consumption represented by morphine equivalent units (MEUs), whereas the secondary outcome was visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores over the first 24 hours postsurgery, operative time, length of stay, and acute perioperative complications. No significant differences in demographics existed between patients who received INB alone vs. INB+PAI. Patients who received INB+PAI had a significantly lower 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption compared to the INB alone group (38.6±30.5 MEU vs. 60.5±37.3 MEU, P<.001). Additionally, VAS pain scores for the first 24 hours postsurgery in the INB+PAI group were significantly lower compared to those for the INB alone group (2.9±1.5 vs. 4.3±1.6, P ≤ .001). No differences existed between groups regarding operative time, length of inpatient stay, and acute perioperative complications. Patients undergoing TSA with INB+PAI demonstrated significantly decreased 24-hour postoperative total opioid consumption and 24-hour postoperative pain scores compared to the group treated with INB alone. No increase in acute perioperative complications related to PAI was observed. Thus, compared to an INB, the addition of an intraoperative periarticular cocktail injection appears to be a safe and effective method to reduce acute postoperative pain following TSA.

Efficacy of Intra-Operative Periarticular Injections among Patients Undergoing Total HIP Arthroplasty

Efficacy of Intra-Operative Periarticular Injections among Patients Undergoing Total HIP Arthroplasty

Perioperative interventions to improve early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perioperative interventions could enhance early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture surgery. Determine the effectiveness of perioperative interventions on early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture. Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from January 2000 to March 2022. English language experimental and quasi-experimental studies were included if patients were hospitalised for a fractured proximal femur with a mean age 65years or older and reported measures of early mobilisation and physical function during the acute hospital admission. Data were pooled using a random effect meta-analysis. Twenty-eight studies were included from 1,327 citations. Studies were conducted in 26 countries on 8,192 participants with a mean age of 80years. Pathways and models of care may provide a small increase in early mobilisation (standardised mean difference [SMD]: 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.39, I2= 73%) and physical function (SMD: 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.15, I2= 0%) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation analgesia may provide a moderate improvement in function (SMD: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.24-1.05, I2= 96%). The benefit of pre-operative mobilisation, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, recumbent cycling and clinical supervision on mobilisation and function remains uncertain. Evidence of no effect on mobilisation or function was identified for pre-emptive analgesia, intraoperative periarticular injections, continuous postoperative epidural infusion analgesia, occupational therapy training or nutritional supplements. Perioperative interventions may improve early mobilisation and physical function after hip fracture surgery. Future studies are needed to model the causal mechanisms of perioperative interventions on mobilisation and function after hip fracture.

Interscalene Block Versus Periarticular Liposomal Bupivacaine for Pain Control Following Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Randomized Trial.

Interscalene nerve blocks and local anesthetic infiltration are two methods commonly used in multimodal analgesia regimens for shoulder arthroplasty. Liposomal bupivacaine is a novel anesthetic that can be detected more than 24 hours following local administration. Studies comparing liposomal bupivacaine with conventional analgesic methods have found mixed results regarding pain and narcotic consumption, and there is little information available regarding patient satisfaction and the role of psychosocial variables. This is a randomized study of 76 adult patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty who were assigned to receive a preoperative interscalene nerve block with ropivacaine (BLOCK=38) or an intra-operative periarticular injection of liposomal bupivacaine (LOCAL=38). The primary outcomes were narcotic consumption (MEq, morphine equivalents), visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and satisfaction (0-10). The secondary outcomes were the effect of patient group preference (BLOCK vs LOCAL) and psychosocial variables (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Brief Resilience Scale) on satisfaction. Length of stay, pain related phone calls, pain related readmissions, and the number of narcotic refills were tracked from the day of surgery through the first postoperative appointment, which was routinely 7-14 days following surgery. Intraoperative and day 0 narcotic consumption was lower in the BLOCK group by 17.3 and 21.6 MEq (p < 0.001, p = 0.035) with no differences on day 1 or 2. There was no difference in VAS pain scores, length of stay, pain related phone calls, pain related readmissions, or the number of narcotic refills. Patient satisfaction was higher in the BLOCK group [8.3 vs. 6.8, p = 0.017]. Pain catastrophizing, resilience, and patient group preference did not have any significant relationship with patient satisfaction. Patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty have higher satisfaction with a conventional interscalene block compared to a periarticular injection of liposomal bupivacaine. There were no clinically important differences in narcotic consumption, VAS pain scores, length of stay, pain related phone calls, pain related readmissions, or the number of narcotic refills. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and patient preferences did not have any relationship with patient satisfaction.

Periarticular Injection in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Optimal pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can expedite postoperative recovery, improve perioperative outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction. Periarticular injections (PAIs) have become increasingly used to improve pain management after TKA. Similar to peripheral nerve blocks, the use of intraoperative PAIs can lower pain scores and expedite discharge from the hospital. However, there is notable variability in the ingredients and administration techniques of PAIs. Currently, no standard of care exists for PAIs, especially in the setting of adjuvant peripheral nerve blocks. This study seeks to evaluate the ingredients, administration techniques, and outcomes of PAIs used during TKA.

Efficacy of Corticosteroid Addition to a Periarticular Cocktail Injection to Counteract Nausea and Vomiting After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Intraoperative periarticular injection of a "cocktail" of drugs is undertaken commonly in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The addition of a corticosteroid to the periarticular injection is believed to offer greater pain relief because of its local anti-inflammatory effects, but the prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is not known. This retrospective observational study aimed to elucidate the relationship between corticosteroid addition to a periarticular cocktail injection (PCI) and PONV. Fifty-nine patients who underwent unilateral TKA for primary osteoarthritis were divided into two groups: corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid. The former had triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg) added to the same PCI. The primary outcome was the prevalence of nausea and vomiting within 48 hours following TKA. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of patient demographics. The overall prevalence of PONV was 16.9%. Fewer patients in the corticosteroid group complained of PONV than in the non-corticosteroid group (6.4% vs. 58.3%; p = 0.012). The addition of a corticosteroid to a PCI suppressed PONV. Our results suggested that cocktail injections may have local and systemic effects.

Benefits of Implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol in Ambulatory Surgery.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in orthopaedic surgery have garnered significant focus due to their ability to control pain adequately in the immediate postoperative window, allowing for earlier mobilization, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications. Virginia Commonwealth University created a multimodal pain management approach in which patients receive a preoperative femoral nerve block followed by periarticular intraoperative local injection anesthesia consisting of bupivacaine, ketamine, and ketorolac. We hypothesized that implementation of the ERAS protocol will decrease postoperative pain scores, decrease recovery time in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and decrease opioid use in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Two patient cohorts were involved: before ERAS implementation (pre-ERAS) and after (post-ERAS). Patients with ACL reconstruction only and patients with ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair were analyzed separately. Post-ERAS patients received an intraoperative periarticular injection of bupivacaine, ketamine, and ketorolac and a postoperative multimodal pain regimen. Outcomes included time spent in the PACU, short-term and long-term opioid consumption, and pain score at discharge from the PACU. Compared with pre-ERAS patients, post-ERAS patients had decreased pain (2.1 vs 0.84 out of 10, respectively), spent less time in the PACU (79.4 vs 62.8 minutes, respectively), and had less opioid consumption in the immediate postoperative period (4.55 vs 2.26 total morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs], respectively) (P < .001 for all). After ERAS implementation, long-term MME use decreased from 410 to 321 between 0 and 2 weeks postoperatively, 92.6 to 1.69 between 2 and 6 weeks, and 494.5 to 323 between 0 and 6 weeks (P < .001 for all). All domains showed significant improvements for both the ACL and the ACL plus meniscal repair cohorts, with the exception of pain at discharge in the ACL plus meniscal repair group. The study findings suggest that an enhanced recovery pathways protocol that includes a standardized intraoperative periarticular bupivacaine, ketamine, and ketorolac injection improves pain scores in the immediate postoperative window, decreases opioid consumption, and reduces recovery time in the PACU for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.

The comparison of dexamethasone and triamcinolone periarticular administration in total knee arthroplasty: retrospective cohort study

BackgroundIntraoperative periarticular injection of corticosteroid effectively reduces perioperative pain in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, which corticosteroid is most effective for intraoperative periarticular injection remains controversial. We compared the effects of corticosteroids between dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide periarticular administration for reducing pain and postoperative nausea and increasing fasting blood glucose concentrations during the perioperative period following TKA.MethodsOne hundred and two patients who underwent TKA from August 2018 to September 2020 were divided into two groups: one received 10 mg dexamethasone for intraoperative periarticular injection and another receiving 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Postoperative pain scores at rest and during walking and nausea scores were recorded using a 0-to-10 Numerical Rating Scale. C-reactive protein (CRP) and fasting blood glucose levels were measured pre- and postoperatively.ResultsPain scores in the triamcinolone group were significantly lower than in the dexamethasone group at rest 7 days postoperatively (1.5 vs. 2.0; p = 0.046) and while walking at both 72 h (3.9 vs. 4.8; p = 0.008) and 7 days postoperatively (3.2 vs. 4.0; p = 0.03). The CRP levels in the triamcinolone group were significantly lower than in the dexamethasone group at 7 days postoperatively (1.6 mg/dl vs. 3.0 mg/dl: p < 0.001). The fasting blood glucose levels at 1 day postoperatively were increased in both groups but not significantly different between the groups. No significant differences in the nausea score were noted between the groups.ConclusionsTriamcinolone acetonide periarticular administration provided greater pain relief by reducing inflammation to a greater degree than dexamethasone.

Intra-operative peri-articular cocktail injection in inflammatory arthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Pain following TKA is often severe in most patients. The purpose of this case series was to assess the efficiency of intra-operative peri-articular cocktail injection in management of pain following total knee arthroplasty. This case series involves 16 patients with inflammatory arthritis of knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). All patients had received peri-articular cocktail of drugs before the implantation of prosthesis with cement. In our study, there was significant improvement of Knee Clinical Score and Knee Functional Score following TKA. The mean KSS score was 37.5 (range: 31-44) improved to 92.5 (range, 86-99) and the functional score improved from 25.5 (range, 18-33) to 76 (range, 72- 80) at 6 months and 93 (range: 90-96) at 12 months. Intraoperative peri-articular injection with 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine, 1 ml of ketorolac, 1ml of clonidine and 0.5ml noradrenaline diluted in 20 ml of saline is effective in reducing immediate post-operative pain and thereby improving the overall functional outcome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Intra-operative peri-articular cocktail injection in inflammatory arthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;Surgical treatment of scaphoid fractures has evolved over the years to include variety of procedures and techniques. However scaphoid middle and distal third fractures fixation with Herbert screw by means of volar approach is a safe and effective method with good functional outcome and union rates. Our study concluded that management of middle and distal third scaphoid fractures with Herbert screw by volar approach gives excellent results in terms of union and recovery to daily activities. The wrist function improvement is more satisfactory, and the incidence of complications is low with this modality of treatment.&lt;/p&gt;

Effectiveness of Periarticular Infiltration of the Knee during Total Knee Arthroplasty for Postoperative Pain Management

Background: Different treatment regimens of analgesia, nerve blocks and epidurals are used for pain relief in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) is one of the modalities in which a cocktail combination of different medicines is infiltrated locally into the capsule, surrounding tissues or intraarticular joint space. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of periarticular injection of combination drugs (Bupivacaine, Ketorolac and Morphine) during TKA for postoperative pain management.&#x0D; Methods: Total of 150 patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA were randomly categorized into 2 groups (75 each). Group A (control group) didn’t receive intraoperative periarticular injection but Group-B received the intraoperative injection of combined local analgesics and anaesthetics (Bupivacaine, Ketorolac and Morphine). Pain following surgery at 0, 1, and 2 postoperative days were recorded with visual analogue scale (VAS) whereas Knee Society Score was used to evaluate the pain and function pre-operative and 3 months’ post-operative. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.&#x0D; Results: Patients receiving periarticular infiltration of combination drugs intraoperatively had lower VAS for postoperative pain (p &lt; 0.001) and this group also showed reduced need of analgesia postoperatively.&#x0D; Conclusions: Periarticular infiltration of knee during Total Knee Arthroplasty is effective in management of postoperative pain&#x0D; Keywords: Periarticular; Total Knee Arthroplasty; combination drugs; postoperative pain

Percutaneous periarticular analgesic injection at one day after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: an open-label randomized control trial

BackgroundThe postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a critical issue. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous periarticular injection at 1 day following simultaneous bilateral TKA.MethodsA total of 88 knees in 44 patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA were randomly assigned to receive a percutaneous periarticular injection at 1 day following surgery (n = 22 patients) or no injection (n = 22 patients). In the additional injection group, we injected a solution including methylprednisolone, ropivacaine, and epinephrine into the muscle belly of the vastus medialis at 1 day after surgery. In both groups, patients received an intraoperative periarticular multi-drug injection and postoperative intravenous and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The primary outcome measure was the postoperative pain at rest using a visual analog scale (VAS) and analyzed with Student’s t test.ResultsCompared to the no additional injection group, the additional periarticular injection group had significantly lower VAS score at 8:00 PM postoperative day 1, 6:00 AM postoperative day 2, 12:00 PM postoperative day 2, 6:00 AM postoperative day 5, 12:00 PM postoperative day 5, and 8:00 PM postoperative day 5 (p < 0.05). The rate of complication did not differ between groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionAdditional percutaneous periarticular injection at 1 day following TKA adding to intraoperative periarticular injection provided better postoperative pain relief.Trial registrationRegistered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (registration number: UMIN000029759).

Adductor canal block with or without added magnesium sulfate following total knee arthroplasty: a multi-arm randomized controlled trial

PurposePostoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often includes intrathecal opioids, periarticular injection (PAI) of local anesthetic, systemic multimodal analgesia, and/or peripheral nerve blockade. The adductor canal block (ACB) provides analgesia without muscle weakness and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) may extend its duration. The purpose of this trial was to compare the duration and quality of early post-TKA analgesia in patients receiving postoperative ACB (± MgSO4) in addition to standard care.MethodsElective TKA patients were randomized to: 1) sham ACB, 2) ropivacaine ACB, or 3) ropivacaine ACB with added MgSO4. All received spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine, intraoperative PAI, and multimodal systemic analgesia. Patients and assessors remained blinded to allocation. Anesthesiologists knew whether patients had received sham or ACB but were blinded to MgSO4. The primary outcome was time to first analgesic (via patient-controlled analgesia [PCA] with iv morphine) following ACB. Secondary outcomes were morphine consumption, side effects, visual analogue scale pain scores, satisfaction until 24 hr postoperatively, and length of stay.ResultsOf 130 patients, 121 were included. Nine were excluded post randomization: four were protocol violations, three did not meet inclusion criteria, and two had severe pain requiring open label blockade. There were no differences in the median [interquartile range] time to first PCA request: sham, 310 min [165–550]; ropivacaine ACB, 298 min [120–776]; and ropivacaine ACB with MgSO4, 270 min [113–780] (P = 0.96). Similarly, we detected no differences in resting pain, opioid consumption, length of stay, or associated side effects until 24 hr postoperatively.ConclusionWe found no analgesic benefit of a postoperative ACB, with or without added MgSO4, in TKA patients undergoing spinal anesthesia and receiving intrathecal morphine, an intraoperative PAI, and multimodal systemic analgesia.Trial registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02581683); registered 21 October 2015.

Intraoperative periarticular injection can alleviate the inflammatory response and enhance joint function recovery after hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures.

Purpose:This study aimed to investigate the potential beneficial effects of periarticular injection (PAI) of multimodal drugs on the inflammatory response and joint function after hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures.Methods:Fifty six elderly patients with unilateral osteoporotic femoral neck fractures were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the PAI group, which received the multimodal drug PAI intraoperatively before incision closure, and the control group, which received an injection of saline at the same time as placebo. The C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels as well as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in peripheral venous blood samples were measured, along with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score with activity and Harris hip score preoperation at 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days as well as 1 and 3 months post-operation.Results:The 2 groups were comparable in sex and age, and no significant differences were observed in the preoperative CRP, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, ESR, VAS score, or Harris hip score between the 2 groups (all P > .05). However, during the postoperative period, the PAI group exhibited significantly lower levels of CRP, IL-1β, and IL-6 as well as a lower ERS and VAS score compared with the control group (P < .05), while the Harris hip score was significantly higher postoperatively in the PAI group (P < .05).Conclusion:Multimodal drug PAI can alleviate the inflammatory response and enhance hip function recovery after hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with osteoporotic femoral neck fractures.

A study of cocktail injection: Pain control and knee motion recovery after total knee replacement

Pain control after total knee replacement (TKR) is pivotal in postoperative rehabilitation. Usage of epidural analgesia or parenteral opioids can cause undesirable side effects hampering early recovery and rehabilitation. These side effects can be avoided by infiltration of an analgesic cocktail locally. Our study was performed to evaluate the benefits of a particular cocktail combination in patients undergoing TKR with respect to pain and knee motion recovery. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKR were enrolled and received an intraoperative periarticular cocktail injection in the right knee (intervention) and normal saline in the left knee (control). Postoperative pain was recorded using the visual analog scale for each knee, and the time taken to achieve 90 degree of knee flexion was noted for each side. The cocktail injected knee had significantly less pain when compared with the control knee during the first 2 days and significantly shorter period to achieve 90 degree of knee flexion. The use of intraoperative periarticular cocktail injection significantly reduces early postoperative pain and provides better early knee motion.

Intraarticular Pain Catheter Is Not a Necessary Modality for Postoperative Pain Control After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BackgroundEffective pain control balanced with maintaining physical function and minimizing medication side effects is essential to accelerated recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Multimodal pain management regimens combining oral medications as well as local analgesia have shown promise in facilitating these goals. Some regimens use anesthetics delivered via a local infiltration catheter while others use periarticular injections (PAIs). However, it is uncertain if an infiltration catheter provides additional pain relief or decreases opioid consumption when compared with conventional PAI alone.MethodsFifty patients undergoing TKA at one institution were randomized equally into 2 groups for a prospective trial. Group I received an intraarticular catheter (On-Q∗) in combination with injection of 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine the day after surgery before removal. Group II received no pain catheter. Both groups received a conventional intraoperative PAI and postoperative oral pain medication. Pain scores were measured with visual analog scale and opioid medication consumption in morphine milligram equivalents (mgs).ResultsThere were no differences in pain scores or opioid consumption in the first 48-hours postoperatively (P = .05). Reported maximum pain scores were low in both groups; 3.33 in group I and 2.97 in group II. Although not statistically significant in this cohort, there was increased opioid consumption in the catheter group: 14.78 mg vs 12.76 mg.ConclusionAn intraarticular pain catheter in conjunction with a multimodal approach with intraoperative PAI after TKA does not improve 48-hour pain scores or opioid consumption compared with PAI alone in this randomized controlled trial. Overall pain scores were very low.

A randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacies of ketorolac and parecoxib for early pain management after total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to reduce pain after orthopedic surgery. Currently, selective COX-2 inhibitors can provide effective pain reduction with less platelet inhibition compared with conventional NSAIDs. We aimed to compare the analgesic effect and perioperative blood loss (PBL) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between ketorolac and parecoxib administration. MethodsWe conducted a prospective randomized controlled study of 100 unilateral TKAs. The ketorolac group of 50 patients received an intraoperative periarticular injection (PAI) with 100 mg of bupivacaine and 30 mg of ketorolac. Afterwards, 30 mg of ketorolac was intravenously injected every 12 h until 48 h. In the parecoxib group of 50 patients, 20 mg of parecoxib was added to PAI, and the first intravenous dose was 20 mg followed by 40 mg every 12 h. The primary outcomes were visual analog scales (VASs) of postoperative pain, amount of morphine consumption, PBL, and blood transfusion rate. ResultsThe ketorolac group had a significantly lower VAS pain score than the parecoxib group at 6 h after TKA (2.38 ± 2.52 vs. 4.12 ± 2.86, P < 0.01). Thereafter, the VAS of both groups and total morphine consumption at 24 and 48 h were comparable. The PBLs of the ketorolac and parecoxib groups were 529.72 ± 263.02 and 402.40 ± 191.47 ml, respectively (P = 0.01). However, the blood transfusion rates between groups were not different. ConclusionParecoxib provides comparable analgesic effects to ketorolac. Additionally, perioperative use of parecoxib is safe and is associated with significantly less blood loss after TKA.

A comparison of peri-articular injection and femoral block for pain management after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective cohort study

Aim: Though Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment method for osteoarthritis, insufficient postoperative pain control negatively affects patients’ satisfaction and functional results. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of intraoperative peri-articular injection and postoperative single-dose femoral nerve block on functional results, the need for analgesia, and pain in the short-term following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods: Thirty-one patients who received peri-articular injection (PAI) during TKA and 38 who were administered a single dose of femoral nerve block (FNB) postoperatively were evaluated. In both groups, an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device was utilized for postoperative analgesia. Analgesia demand and the amount administered from the PCA in the first 24 hours were recorded. For the evaluation of the level of postoperative pain, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used at rest at 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 24th hours, and dynamic VAS was used at the 24th hour to assess pain with mobilization. Range of movement (ROM) was recorded with the measurements of active flexion and extension angles at the first, second and third postoperative days.Results: The resting VAS scores at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 24th hours were significantly lower in the PAI group than in the FNB group (P=0.032, P=0.037, P=0.014, P=0.004, respectively). The number of patients’ demands on the PCA for pain relief and the number of doses administered were higher in the FNB group. The ROM values measured on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were insignificantly greater in the PAI patients (P=0.956, P=0.103, P=0.162, respectively).Conclusion: The peri-articular injection technique, when used appropriately, is easy to apply with a low-side effect profile. Therefore, it can be considered a safe and effective analgesia method providing a higher level of patient comfort and greater range of movement.