Local infiltration analgesia in primary total knee arthroplasty

Postoperative pain in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can hinder rehabilitation and cause morbidity. Local infiltration analgesia (LIA), comprising an anaesthetic drug, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and adrenaline, has been introduced to reduce pain and systemic side-effects. This study evaluated the efficacy of LIA in TKA with respect to morphine consumption and postoperative pain score.

This single-centre retrospective cohort study recruited patients with knee osteoarthritis who were scheduled for primary TKA during the period from January 2017 to December 2017. Patients with chronic inflammatory joint disease, contra-indications for LIA, or dementia were excluded. Patients in the LIA group were administered single-dose LIA intra-operatively, while those in the control group were not. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain score, morphine demand, and morphine consumption; secondary outcomes were range of motion, quadriceps power, and postoperative length of stay.

In total, 136 patients were recruited (68 per group). Total postoperative morphine demand and consumption, as well as pain scores from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 4, were lower in the LIA group than in the control group. The range of motion from POD 1 to POD 4 and quadriceps power on POD 1 were higher in the LIA group than in the control group. Quadriceps power from POD 2 to POD 4 and postoperative length of stay were not significantly different between groups.

Intra-operative single-dose LIA can effectively reduce postoperative pain, morphine demand, and morphine consumption. Therefore, the use of LIA is recommended during TKA.