It recommended that 100% patients should be satisfied with the management of their pain and any side effects of analgesic treatment. We conducted this prospective study to compare effectiveness of combining local nerve blocks with PCA (patient controlled analgesia) morphine to PCA morphine only in controlling acute post operative pain among total knee arthroplasty patients.
It involves 50 Patients underwent total knee replacement. Average patient age 71y (range 53–83y) Patients divided into two groups: (A) – PCA (patient controlled analgesia) Morphine only and (B) – PCA Morphine + local nerve Blocks Data collected: Pain score at 1,3,6,12,24 hrs after operation, Morphine used, Supplementary analgesia, Side effects (vomiting score), Patients satisfaction, Patients’ knee joint early range of movement and Patients average period of hospital stay.
Side effects was seen in 30% in group B compared to 45% in group A There was no difference in the knee joint early range of movement There was no difference in the patients’ average period of hospital stay.
We recommend that more total knee arthroplasty patients should be offered local nerve blocks in addition to their standard anaesthesia.