BACKGROUNDMultimodal cocktail periarticular injection (MCPI) with a large volume of low concentration local anesthetics, adrenaline, and anti-inflammatory agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or steroids have shown good pain control and improvement in range of motion after surgery. This study compares the efficacy of pain control after total knee arthroplasty, using multimodal cocktail periarticular injection with steroid or without steroid.

METHODSThis is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized and control study. Seventy-two patients with osteoarthritis that met clinical criteria for total knee arthroplasty were recruited into the study, and were randomized to receive either multimodal cocktail periarticular injection with steroid or without steroid. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at preoperative and postoperative at rest, and during activity. The range of motion was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. The amount of daily and cumulative morphine consumption were measured by patient-controlled analgesia in the first 72 hours postoperatively. The duration of celecoxib usage was also recorded at the last follow-up.

RESULTSThere were no differences between the non-steroid and steroid groups with regard to VAS at rest and during activity, or range of motion, at any postoperative observation time. The postoperative Knee Society Knee Score in the steroid group improved significantly as compared with that in non-steroid group at the one-month (84.1±13.1 and 65.9±12.1; P < 0.0045), three-month follow-up (90.2±16.3 and 72.5±16.6; P < 0.0027), but after postoperative six-month the Knee Society Knee Score showed no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in consumption of the morphine about daily or total consumption within 72 hours between the two groups. The duration of celecoxib usage in patients in the steroid group was significantly shorter than that in the non-steroid group ((7.2±0.7) compared with (10.5±1.9) weeks; P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONThe patients who received the steroid injection had faster rehabilitation and less non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs consumption.