Multimodal Periarticular Injection Vs Continuous Femoral Nerve Block After Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 1234 - 1238
• Main Authors: Ng, Fu-Yuen, MBBS, FRCSE (Ortho), FHKAM (Ortho Surg), Ng, Jacobus Kwok-Fu, MBChB, MD, FHKAM (Anaes), Chiu, Kwong-Yuen, MBBS, FRCSE (Ortho), FHKAM (Ortho Surg), Yan, Chun-Hoi, MBBS, FRCSE (Ortho), FHKAM (Ortho Surg), Chan, Chi-Wing, MBBS, FHKCA, FHKAM (Anaes)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.06.2012
• Subjects: femoral nerve block; multimodal periarticular injection; Orthopedics; total knee arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty; multimodal periarticular injection; femoral nerve block
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2011.12.021

Abstract This study compares the efficacy of pain control using continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) and multimodal periarticular soft tissue injection. This is a randomized, crossover, clinical trial. Sixteen patients having bilateral osteoarthritis of the knee scheduled for staged total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive either FNB (0.2% ropivacaine), via indwelling catheter for 72 hours, or multimodal periarticular soft tissue injection in the first stage. In the second stage, they received the opposite treatment. The primary outcome measure was morphine consumption by patient-controlled analgesia in the first 72 hours postoperatively. Cumulative morphine consumption as well as rest pain and motion pain in the first 72 hours was comparable between the 2 groups. The functional outcomes did not differ significantly. We conclude that multimodal periarticular soft tissue injection provides comparable analgesia to continuous FNB after total knee arthroplasty.