The Journal of arthroplasty
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This study evaluated the effect of a new multimodal perioperative anesthetic and pain management strategy for primary total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two cohorts of 50 consecutive THA and 50 TKA patients from before and after initiation of the new protocol were compared. The protocol involved scheduled oral narcotics, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, no intrathecal narcotics, femoral nerve catheters for TKAs, and local anesthetic wound infiltration. ⋯ There were statistically significant improvements after the protocol regarding rest-pain scores post-operative day (POD) 1 and 2, total narcotic consumption, distance walked POD 1 and 2, and length of stay. There were no significant differences in complications. Implementation of this new multimodal perioperative protocol combined with early mobilization for TKA and THA patients has shortened length of stay, improved pain control, and accomplished therapy goals sooner with less narcotic consumption.
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Comparative Study
Bilateral vs unilateral total knee arthroplasty: a patient-based comparison of pain levels and recovery of ambulatory skills.
Two important questions remain in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Is bilateral TKA significantly more painful and is physical recovery significantly more difficult compared with unilateral TKA? A retrospective matched-pair analysis compared 59 bilateral and 59 unilateral TKA patients based on age, sex, diagnosis, surgeon, and surgery date. Analog pain scores, narcotic use, ambulatory distances, and rehabilitative milestones were recorded. ⋯ Narcotic use was 20% higher for the first 48 hours but equalized after that period. Ambulatory milestones lagged behind by 36 hours. Patients wishing to pursue bilateral TKA can proceed without pain, use of narcotics, and walking distance significantly different than unilateral TKA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative epoetin alfa vs autologous blood donation in primary total knee arthroplasty.
This prospective randomized trial compared preoperative autologous blood donation (PAD) with epoetin alfa in patients undergoing primary total knee reconstruction. Fifty adult patients with pretreatment hemoglobin level of 100 to 130 g/L were randomized to either epoetin alfa 40,000 U at preoperative days 14 and 7 or to a standard PAD protocol. Patient characteristics and operative blood loss were similar between groups. ⋯ There was no significant difference in the incidence of allogeneic transfusions between groups (28% for epoetin alfa vs 8% for PAD; P = .1383). Both treatments were generally well tolerated. Epoetin alfa appears to be a safe alternative to PAD in patients who are at risk for transfusion in the perioperative period following total knee arthroplasty.
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Gender, preoperative function, and other variables were explored as predictors of recovery after total hip and knee arthroplasty. One hundred fifty-two subjects (63.8 +/- 10.2 years) were repeatedly assessed in the first 4 postoperative months. Average recovery curves for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, 6-minute walk test, and timed up and go test were characterized using hierarchical linear modeling. ⋯ Thereafter, men and women had similar rates of improvement. Preoperative score was a significant predictor (P < or= .001) in all models. Patients' and surgeons' expectations of outcome need to take preoperative function into account.
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A highly effective comprehensive multimodal pain protocol has evolved at our institution for both primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty. At the center of this protocol are peripheral nerve blocks to deliver postoperative pain relief. Total hip arthroplasty patients receive a lumbar plexus block with an indwelling catheter. ⋯ Before surgery, patients are given a long-acting oral narcotic medication and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. After surgery, oral medications are given on a set schedule and include acetaminophen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, and a long-acting oral narcotic. Outstanding pain control is achieved without parenteral narcotics and allows early physical therapy, early return to self-care, and improved patient satisfaction.