In a new study published by The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, researchers compared two types of postoperative pain control methods on patients who had both of their knees replaced.
Here are seven key facts from that study:
1. The records of 16 patients who underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty were reviewed.
2. A femoral nerve block was administered in the first knee's procedure. In the second knee's procedure, patients were given a periarticular injection of extended-release bupivacaine liposome mixture.
3. Both operations were performed by the same surgeon on all 16 patients.
4. Researchers found patients that received the periarticular injection recovered much quicker than those who received a femoral nerve block.
5. According to Brandon Horn, DO, periarticular injections allow patients to maintain control of the quadriceps muscles, something that a femoral nerve block is unable to do.
6. The patients that received the periarticular injection averaged 2.3 inpatient physical therapy sessions, whereas those that received the femoral nerve block averaged 3.5 sessions.
7. The periarticular analgesic injection can save around $1,615 per patient in additional costs for additional physical therapy, hospital stays and cost associated with the nerve block.