Aim: This prospective study set out to establish whether a 10 mg dose of intra-articular morphine in combination with 0.5% Bupivicaine was more efficacious than a 5mg dose following therapeutic knee arthroscopy.

Methods: Sixty patients were randomised to receive either 5mg or 10mg intra-articular morphine in combination with Bupivicaine at the end of a therapeutic arthroscopy. Patients completed pain scores at regular intervals over 5 post operative days.

Results: There was no significant difference in both analgesic effect and side effect profile between the two different doses of intra-articular morphine.

Conclusion: 5mg intra-articular morphine in combination with 0.5% Bupivicaine provides effective post operative analgesia in patients having had a therapeutic knee arthroscopy. A 10 mg dose provides no added benefit.