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Method of postoperative pain relief may influence recovery from total knee replacement surgery

Periarticular injections reduce postoperative hospital stay, number of inpatient physical therapy sessions

Date:
November 30, 2015
Source:
American Osteopathic Association
Summary:
Outcomes from two types of postoperative pain control methods were compared in a group of patients who had both of their knees replaced.
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A new study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association compared outcomes from two types of postoperative pain control methods in a group of patients who had both of their knees replaced.

The retrospective study reviewed records of 16 patients who underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in which a femoral nerve block was administered at the first operation and a periarticular injection of extended-release bupivacaine liposome mixture was used after the second operation. The same surgeon performed both TKAs in all patients studied. An average of 2.3 years separated the two procedures.

The study found patients recovered quicker when they received periarticular injections of analgesic medication, according to the orthopedic surgeon, Brandon Horn, DO, of the McLaren Greater Lansing Medical Center in Michigan. Postoperative pain control is essential to recovery from total knee arthroplasty because patients must bear weight on the new joint within 12 to 24 hours after surgery and begin physical therapy, the researchers noted.

"Periarticular injections, unlike femoral nerve blocks, allow patients to maintain control of the quadriceps muscles. The tenants of osteopathic medicine tell us that function follows form, so enabling the quadriceps to fully engage helps patients to get up and begin walking independently faster," Dr. Horn explained. "There's also a preventative component at work, since femoral nerve blocks are also associated with a high incidence of postoperative falls."

Patients receiving a periarticular injection averaged 2.3 inpatient physical therapy sessions, compared to 3.5 inpatient physical therapy sessions for those receiving the femoral nerve block. The investigators also reported a half-day decrease in hospital stay. Those factors resulted in notable cost savings.

"To treat knee replacement patients with a nerve block, you're looking at about $400 in additional costs for the procedure alone compared to that of the analgesic injection," said Dr. Horn. "Adding in the cost of additional physical therapy needed and extended hospital stay, the injection can save around $1,615 per patient."


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Osteopathic Association. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Brandon J. Horn, Adam Cien, N. Peter Reeves, Pramod Pathak, Charles J. Taunt. Femoral Nerve Block vs Periarticular Bupivacaine Liposome Injection After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Effect on Patient Outcomes. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2015; 115 (12): 714 DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2015.146

Cite This Page:

American Osteopathic Association. "Method of postoperative pain relief may influence recovery from total knee replacement surgery." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151130110010.htm>.
American Osteopathic Association. (2015, November 30). Method of postoperative pain relief may influence recovery from total knee replacement surgery. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151130110010.htm
American Osteopathic Association. "Method of postoperative pain relief may influence recovery from total knee replacement surgery." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151130110010.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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