Intra‐articular tenoxicam relieves post‐arthroscopy pain

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Abstract
Background: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs have been documented to be effective in the treatment of postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of local intra‐articular injection of tenoxicam compared with intravenous injection on postoperative pain after arthroscopy.Methods: After day‐case arthroscopy, 60 patients were randomized to receive either tenoxicam 20 mg in 20 ml of normal saline intra‐articularly and 2 ml of normal saline i.v., or 20 ml of normal saline intra‐articularly and 2 ml tenoxicam 20 mg i.v. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale and measuring analgesic requirements.Results: Pain scores were significantly lower in the intra‐articular group at rest and during active flexion of the knee at 1,2 and 4 hours postoperatively and during walking at 6 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05). Significantly more patients in the intravenous group required supplemental opioid analgesia within the first 4 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Intra‐articular tenoxicam 20 mg provided better analgesia and decreased the requirements for postoperative analgesic compared with i.v. tenoxicam 20 mg.