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Lower Limb

The efficacy of intra-articular bupivacaine for relief of pain following arthroscopy of the ankle



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Abstract

The intra-articular injection of local anaesthetic is frequently used for pain relief after arthroscopy. There is, however, no published evidence of the analgesic effect of bupivacaine in the ankle. In a randomised, double-blind study, 35 patients undergoing arthroscopy of the ankle were allocated to receive intra-articular saline or bupivacaine. Pain was assessed using pain scores and additional analgesic requirements. Intra-articular bupivacaine had a significant analgesic effect in the immediate post-operative period, reducing pain scores and the need for additional analgesics.

We recommend the use of intra-articular bupivacaine for post-operative analgesia in ankle surgery.


Correspondence should be sent to Miss F. Middleton at 18 Wodeland Avenue, Guildford GU2 4JX, UK; e-mail: fionamiddleton@doctors.org.uk

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