Continuous femoral blocks improve recovery and outcome of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

This study was designed to determine the effects of continuous femoral infu sion (CFI) on total knee arthroplasty recovery. A total of 92 patients were distributed in 3 groups: Patients in group 1 received general anesthesia f ollowed by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine (n = 33), patie nts in group 2 received 3-in-1 and sciatic blocks followed by CFI (n = 29), and patients in group 3 received epidural analgesia (n = 30). Blocks reduc ed postoperative morphine requirement by 74% (vs group 1: P < .05 and 35% ( vs group 3; P < .05). Blocks provided better recovery than PCA with morphin e or an epidural. The use of CFI was associated with a reduction of postope rative bleeding by 72% (vs group 1; P < .05) and allowed better performance on continuous passive motion. CFI was associated with a 90% decrease in se rious complications and a 20% decrease in the length of hospitalization. CF I represents a better alternative than PCA or epidural analgesia for postop erative pain management and immediate rehabilitation after total knee arthr oplasty.