Expectations, experiences and attitudes of orthopedic patients undergoing arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction toward postoperative pain and its management.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate expectations, experiences, and attitudes of orthopedic patients undergoing arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction in terms of postoperative pain and management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This prospective study involved 115 patients. Preoperatively, patients completed a preoperative questionnaire regarding expectations toward postoperative pain and management. Postoperatively, they completed a postoperative questionnaire regarding exact pain experiences and attitudes in relation to their pain and management. RESULTS: Almost all expected (95.6%) and experienced (98.3%) pain. The median values of maximum and average pain measured by a verbal numerical rating score were 7.7 and 5.6, respectively. Approximately 3/5 reported marked and maximum relief from analgesics received Only one patient was not satisfied with pain management while the rest were satisfied in varying degrees. A large proportion showed incorrect conceptions concerning postoperative pain and management. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pain management is still an area for improvement. Misunderstandings of patients should be explored and corrected as they can pose a barrier for effective pain relief Pain management should begin with preoperative explanations and advice followed by good care intraoperatively and postoperatively.