Effects of Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia with Morphine, Continuous Epidural Analgesia, and Continuous Three-in-One Block on Postoperative Pain and Knee Rehabilitation After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

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Abstract
In this study, we assessed the influence of three analge- sic techniques on postoperative knee rehabilitation af- ter total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Forty-five patients scheduled for elective TKA under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups. Postopera- tive analgesia was provided with IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine in Group A, continu- ous 3-in-1 block in Group B, and epidural analgesia in Group C. Immediately after surgery, the three groups started identical physical therapy regimens. Pain scores, supplemental analgesia, side effects, degree of maximal knee flexion, day of first walk, and duration of hospital stay were recorded. Patients in Groups Band C reported significantly lower pain scores than those in Group A. Supplemental analgesia was comparable in the three groups. Compared with Groups A and C, a significantly lower incidence of side effects was noted in Group B. Significantly better knee flexion (until 6 wk after surgery), faster ambulation, and shorter hospital stay were noted in Groups B and C. However, these benefits did not affect outcome at 3 mo. We conclude that, after TKA, continuous 3-in-1 block and epidural analgesia provide better pain relief and faster knee re- habilitation than IV PCA with morphine. Because it in- duces fewer side effects, continuous 3-in-1 block should be considered the technique of choice.