Der Orthopäde
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty: Continuous intra-articular catheter vs. continuous femoral nerve block].
Postoperative pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a great challenge even today. In the context of new fast-track concepts, the importance of multimodal therapies for the effective treatment of pain and the reduction of side effects, as well as for the rapid ambulation of patients is increasing. Therefore, new continuous intra-articular catheter-systems (IAC) are under investigation. ⋯ The perioperative treatment with an IAC system is an easy technique, which ensures a markedly faster ambulation following TKA compared to the treatment with continuous FNB. Hence, its usage, especially in fast-track concepts can be recommended. In this study, a comparison of pain intensity, the additional requirement of opioids and early range of motion (ROM) offers no benefits compared to FNB. Due to time savings cost reduction can be achieved.