Intra-articular remifentanil on postoperative pain in knee arthroscopic surgery; a double blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the efficacy of intra-articular remifentanil in relieving postoperative pain after knee arthroscopy. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial study on 60 patients. Patients were divided into two equal groups. The control group received 25 ml of intra-articular normal saline, and the intervention group received 200 µg of remifentanil dissolved in 25 ml of saline. We evaluated at rest postoperative pain at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients with VAS scores of 4 or more received meperidine (pethidine). The first time meperidine was requested and the total amount of meperidine consumed was recorded. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 49 were male (81.6%), and the mean age of participants was 32.71 (7.02) years. An hour after the surgery, the control group showed a mean VAS score of 8.66 (1.26), and decreased to 2.53 (1.67) at the end of 24 h. The intervention group started with a mean VAS score of 2.23 (1.81) and ended at 0.10 (0.305). All patients in the control group and 11 (36.7%) patients in the intervention group asked for analgesics during follow-up. The mean total meperidine dose in the control and intervention groups was 108.33 (23.97) mg and 13.33 (19.40) mg, respectively (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval of the difference 83.72 to 106.27). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular remifentanil may decrease postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

The efficacy of topical red clover oil on knee osteoarthritis: A pilot prospective randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

A triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of topical red clover oil (containing standardized red clover extract in olive oil) on knee osteoarthritis (OA). A total of 80 patients, 50-80 years old, with primary knee OA were randomly allocated to two groups. The study group used topical red clover oil and the control group used olive oil for 4 weeks (20 drops twice a day). Both groups adhered to nonpharmacological American College of Rheumatology recommendations and took meloxicam tablets during the study (0-8 weeks), and were followed up from Week 4 to 8. Efficacy measures were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At baseline, both groups were homogeneous regarding demographic characteristics. In addition, they were asked about the side effects during the intervention. The results showed that the WOMAC score and its subscales of pain and stiffness and function scores and VAS significantly increased over time in both groups (p < .001). The study group showed a significant increase regarding pain (p = .001), function (p = .010), VAS (p < .001), and the WOMAC total score (p = .018). No serious drug side effects were observed. Red clover oil may have positive effects on symptoms of knee OA and can be considered as a complementary treatment.

Hypnosis as an Approach to Control Pain and Anxiety in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Meniscal Surgeries: Two Case Presentations.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is an extremely common surgery in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. This surgery requires creating tunnels in bones (femur and tibia), which is often associated with severe pain and thus general or neuraxial anesthesia should be applied to mitigate pain and anxiety. This paper follows our previous case report of hypnoanesthesia in hand surgery, discussing the application of hypnosis as a non-pharmacologic intervention for controlling intraoperative and postoperative pain and anxiety, which can contribute to postoperative recovery of patients with ACL surgery. According to the results of this study, it seems better to teach hypnosis as a pain control protocol to anesthesia residents and pain service staff. Also, hypnosis can be considered an anxiety reduction strategy in perioperative phases and also useful for postoperative pain management.

Developing an Appropriateness Criteria for Knee MRI Using the Rand Appropriateness Method (RAM)-2013.

BACKGROUND: Knee pain is one of the most common reasons patients visit their physician. In this regard Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the tool of preference for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine appropriate guidelines for knee MRI administration using the RAND Appropriateness Method (RAM)-2013. METHODS: This qualitative study was done in the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The most appropriate approved knee MRI administration clinical guidelines were evaluated using Guidelines Evaluation and Research Appraisal (AGREE). Panel members consisting of six orthopedic and three rheumatologic doctors gave scores ranging from 1 to 9 for each scenario. The indications were grouped as appropriate, equivocal and inappropriate. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and SPSS ver. 18 software. RESULTS: Sixty-three scenarios were extracted from the guidelines and then the scenarios were evaluated in 26 indications. Thirty-two (50.79%) cases were considered appropriate, 12 (19.04%) cases uncertain and 19 (30.1%) cases inappropriate. CONCLUSIONS: The RAND appropriateness method is helpful in identifying the opinion of stakeholders in health care systems. Moreover, making practical use of clinical guidelines can improve patients' quality of care and prevent unnecessary costs.

Synovial hemangioma of the knee with recurrent effusion and pain: a case report.

Synovial hemangioma is a rare benign malformation of the synovium. It presents frequently in the knee with pain, tenderness, intermittent swelling and recurrent hemarthrosis. MRI can be helpful in diagnosis of synovial hemangioma. In this paper, we present a 45-year-old lady with chronic symptoms and obscure clinical symptoms for 35 years which finally diagnosed and managed arthroscopically as synovial hemangioma of the knee. The patient`s complaints resolved efficiently with no recurrence after one year.

Resurfacing hip arthroplasty in neuromuscular hip disorders - A retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Management of the degenerate hip in patients with neuromuscular conditions should be aimed at improving quality of life and ease of nursing care. Arthroplasty poses a significant challenge with predisposition to dislocation and loosening due to anatomical abnormalities, soft tissue contractures and impaired muscle tone. METHODS: We present a series of 11 hips (9 patients) following total hip resurfacing arthroplasty for painful osteoarthritis in patients with differing neuromuscular conditions. Patients were assessed clinically and radiographically and also for satisfaction of their carers due to improved ability to provide nursing care. Mean patient age was 33.1 years (range 13-49 years) with mean follow up at publication 63.7 months (41-89 months). All patients were operated by a single surgeon (AHN) and received the required post operative care and physiotherapy. Soft tissue releases were performed when necessary. All hips were assessed clinically and radiographically at 6 weeks and 6 months and 1 year post-operatively. Six month follow-up also included a questionnaire with scoring of care-provider satisfaction. RESULTS: Ten hips had good clinical results with improvement in pain and function and radiologically showed no signs of loosening. One hip required revision to proximal femoral excision due to dislocation and loose acetabular component with severe pain. None of the other hips dislocated. Analysis of care provider satisfaction assessing ability to provide personal care, positioning and transferring, comfort, interaction and communication scored excellent to good in 10 patients and satisfactory in one. CONCLUSION: We believe hip resurfacing arthroplasty to be a viable option in the treatment of the complex problem of osteoarthritis in the hips of patients with neuromuscular disease. The improved biomechanics confer greater stability when compared to conventional total hip arthroplasty. Although technically demanding, a successful result has been shown to improve patient pain, function and ease of nursing care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.