The efficacy of local infiltrative analgesia in total knee arthroplasty regarding pain and movement in early postoperative period

Abstract

Background: Total knee arthroplasty is a successful procedure for relieving pain and restoring function in cases with severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Local infiltration analgesia is becoming more commonly used owing to the excellent pain relief, the low frequency of complications, and the anti-inflammatory effect. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of local infiltrative analgesia when it’s uses in total knee arthroplasty patients for decrease the pain score and increase range of motion in early post-operative rehabilitation. Methods: a comparative prospective study carried in the period from October 2016 to September 2018, was applied for 36 patients in Medical City, Hospital of Specialized Surgeries and Private Nursing Home Hospital.Results: In group A, means of ROM score one day and two days postoperatively were decreased than that before operation (105.12 versus 89.37, P= 0.001 and 105.12 versus 87.37, P= 0.001 respectively). In-group B, means score one day and two days postoperatively were decreased than that before operation (105.75 versus 88.50, P= 0.001 and 105.75 versus 82.75, P= 0.001 respectively). During rest, means of VAS score four hours, 12 hours, one day, and two days after operation were significantly decreased in (group A) compared to group B. During movement, insignificant differences in means of VAS score between study groups four hours, 12 hours, and two days after operation (P= 0.258, 0.057, and 0.284 respectively). Conclusion: Local infiltration analgesia effectively reduce pain scores during rest and movement also reduces hospital stay in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, and better physiotherapy outcome.