Post-operative pain control remains a challenge

Post-operative pain control remains challenging following total knee arthroplasty, it has been claimed.

According to new research conducted by scientists from Sweden, the most common method used in the country is epidural anesthesia, which offers good quality results.

However, the researchers, from Capio St Gorans Hospital's Department of Orthopaedics and the Karolinska Institute's Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery in Stockholm, said the problem with the technique is that it can have a number of major side effects.

These can include motor weakness, urinary retention problems and hypotonia.

"Femoral block and oral medication is also common in Swedish orthopedic departments. Each technique offers several side effects and therefore the search for other methods continues," the researchers said.

Adding: "The benefits of the local infiltration anesthesia technique are several: good postoperative pain control, fast mobilization, and satisfied patients."

Recent research published in the medical journal Pain showed that electro-acupuncture could be a potential treatment for pain relief in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.

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