[Pain and tourniquet in orthopedic surgery]

The use of a pneumatic tourniquet to provide a bloodless field in orthopedic surgery is often complicated by tourniquet pain. The mechanism of this pain remains incompletely understood, but it is probably multifactorial. Nerve compression is a common etiologic feature. The use of local anaesthetics may be considered the best choice for avoiding tourniquet pain. Superficial (skin) compression and deep components compression like blood vessels and muscles can both induce tourniquet pain. Central nervous system can also interfere. Release of tourniquet can increase the pain by post-ischaemic oedema due to ischaemia and reperfusion injury.