The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and patterns of neuropathic pain over one year in a cohort of patients with chronic post-surgical pain at three months following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Between 2016 and 2019, 363 patients with troublesome pain, defined as a score of ≤ 14 on the Oxford Knee Score pain subscale, three months after TKA from eight UK NHS hospitals, were recruited into the Support and Treatment After Replacement (STAR) clinical trial. Self-reported neuropathic pain and postoperative pain was assessed at three, nine, and 15 months after surgery using the painDETECT and Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaires collected by postal survey.Aims
Methods
Despite new technologies for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), approximately 20% of patients are dissatisfied. A major reason for dissatisfaction and revision surgery after TKA is persistent pain. The radiological grade of osteoarthritis (OA) preoperatively has been investigated as a predictor of the outcome after TKA, with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the intensity of pain 12 months after TKA in relation to the preoperative radiological grade of OA alone, and the combination of the intensity of preoperative pain and radiological grade of OA. The preoperative data of 300 patients who underwent primary TKA were collected, including clinical information (age, sex, preoperative pain), psychological variables (depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, anticipated pain), and quantitative sensory testing (temporal summation, pressure pain thresholds, conditioned pain modulation). The preoperative radiological severity of OA was graded according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification. Persistent pain in the knee was recorded 12 months postoperatively. Generalized linear models explored differences in postoperative pain according to the KL grade, and combined preoperative pain and KL grade. Relative risk models explored which preoperative variables were associated with the high preoperative pain/low KL grade group.Aims
Methods
Single-shot adductor canal block (ACB) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for postoperative analgesia is a common modality. Patients can experience breakthrough pain when the effect of ACB wears off. Local anaesthetic infusion through an intra-articular catheter (IAC) can help manage breakthrough pain after TKA. We hypothesized that combined ACB with ropivacaine infusion through IAC is associated with better pain relief compared to ACB used alone. This study was a prospective double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of combined ACB+ IAC-ropivacaine infusion (study group, n = 68) versus single-shot ACB+ intra-articular normal saline placebo (control group, n = 66) after primary TKA. The primary outcome was assessment of pain, using the visual analogue scale (VAS) recorded at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included active knee ROM 48 hours after surgery and additional requirement of analgesia for breakthrough pain.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the general postoperative opioid consumption and rate of appropriate disposal of excess opioid prescriptions in patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In total, 112 patients undergoing surgery with one of eight arthroplasty surgeons at a single specialty hospital were prospectively enrolled. Three patients were excluded for undergoing secondary procedures within six weeks. Daily pain levels and opioid consumption, quantity, and disposal patterns for leftover medications were collected for six weeks following surgery using a text-messaging platform.Aims
Patients and Methods
Pain, swelling and inflammation are expected
during the recovery from total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery.
The severity of these factors and how a patient copes with them
may determine the ultimate outcome of a TKA. Cryotherapy and compression
are frequently used modalities to mitigate these commonly experienced
sequelae. However, their effect on range of motion, functional testing,
and narcotic consumption has not been well-studied. A prospective, multi-center, randomised trial was conducted to
evaluate the effect of a cryopneumatic device on post-operative
TKA recovery. Patients were randomised to treatment with a cryopneumatic
device or ice with static compression. A total of 280 patients were
enrolled at 11 international sites. Both treatments were initiated
within three hours post-operation and used at least four times per
day for two weeks. The cryopneumatic device was titrated for cooling
and pressure by the patient to their comfort level. Patients were evaluated by physical therapists blinded to the
treatment arm. Range of motion (ROM), knee girth, six minute walk
test (6MWT) and timed up and go test (TUG) were measured pre-operatively,
two- and six-weeks post-operatively. A visual analog pain score
and narcotic consumption was also measured post-operatively. At two weeks post-operatively, both the treatment and control
groups had diminished ROM and function compared to pre-operatively.
Both groups had increased knee girth compared to pre- operatively.
There was no significant difference in ROM, 6MWT, TUG, or knee girth
between the 2 groups. We did find a significantly lower amount of
narcotic consumption (509 mg morphine equivalents) in the treatment
group compared with the control group (680 mg morphine equivalents)
at up to two weeks postop, when the cryopneumatic device was being
used (p <
0.05). Between two and six weeks, there was no difference
in the total amount of narcotics consumed between the two groups.
At six weeks, there was a trend toward a greater distance walked
in the 6MWT in the treatment group (29.4 meters A cryopneumatic device used after TKA appeared to decrease the
need for narcotic medication from hospital discharge to 2 weeks
post-operatively. There was also a trend toward a greater distance
walked in the 6MWT. Patient satisfaction with the cryopneumatic
cooling regimen was significantly higher than with the control treatment.
