Post-operative regimes involving the use of intra-articular local anaesthetic infiltration may allow early mobilisation in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Few studies have evaluated such regimes outside specialist arthroplasty units. We aimed to determine whether an enhanced recovery programme including the use of local anaesthetic administration could be adapted for use in a district general setting.

Following introduction of this regime to our unit, 100 consecutive patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were reviewed. 56 patients underwent a standard analgesic regime involving a general or spinal anaesthetic and oral analgesics post operatively (group1). 48 patients underwent the newly introduced regime, which included pre-operative counselling, peri-articular local anaesthetic infiltration at operation and intra-articular local anaesthetic top-up administration post-operatively for 24 hours (group 2). Length of stay, post-operative analgesic requirements, and range of knee motion post-operatively were compared.

Median length of stay was less for patients in group 2 compared with those in group 1 (4 days compared to 5 days, p<0.05). Patients in group 2 required lower total doses of opiate analgesia post-operatively. 90% of patients in group 2 were ambulant on the first post operative day, compared with less than 25% of patients in group 1. Mean knee flexion on discharge was greater in patients in group 2 compared with those in group 1 (85 degrees compared with 75 degrees). No infective complications from intra-articular catheter placement were observed. However, technical difficulties were encountered during the introduction period, including loss of catheter placement, leakage of local anaesthetic and adaptation of nursing time for top-up anaesthetic administration.

A rehabilitation regime involving local anaesthetic infiltration for total knee arthroplasty can successfully be adapted for use in a district general setting. Our results suggest if initial technical difficulties are overcome, this regime can provide effective postoperative analgesia, early mobilisation and reduced hospital stay.