Efficacy of Multimodal Pain Control Protocol in the Setting of Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the benefi ts and safety of a multimodal pain control protocol, which included a periarticular injection of local anesthetics, in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Methods: Between March 2006 and March 2007, 60 patients undergoing unilateral total hip arthroplasty were randomized to undergo either a multimodal pain control protocol or a conventional pain control protocol. The following parameters were compared: the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scales (VAS), hospital stay, operative time, postoperative rehabilitation, additional painkiller consumption, and complication rates. Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of diagnosis, age, gender, and BMI. Although both groups had similar VAS scores in the preoperative period and on the fi fth postoperative day, there was a signifi cant difference between the groups over the four-day period after surgery. There were no differences in the hospital stay, operative time, additional painkiller consumption, or complication rate between the groups. The average time for comfortable crutch ambulation was 2.8 days in the multimodal pain control protocol group and 5.3 days in the control group. Conclusions: The multimodal pain control protocol can signifi cantly reduce the level of postoperative pain and improve patients’ satisfaction, with no apparent risks, after total hip arthroplasty. Keywords: Total hip arthroplasty, Multimodal pain control protocol, Visual analogue scale