Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA
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Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc · Nov 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPain after elective arthroscopy of the knee: a prospective, randomised, study comparing conventional NSAID to coxib.
Although outpatient knee arthroscopy is probably by far the most frequently performed orthopaedic procedure, there are limited guidelines or consensus concerning the peroral postoperative pain management. A diversity of analgesics both in potency and action is prescribed. The purpose of the present investigation was to grade the pain and need for rescue medication during the first 4 days after the knee arthroscopy, comparing a conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with a selective cox-II-inhibitor (coxib) as postoperative pain medication. ⋯ We found, however, no differences in pain ratings, or need for rescue analgesics between the two groups, conventional NSAID and coxib as well as no difference in side-effect profile. In conclusion, patients do require proper pain management also after minor outpatient surgical procedures such as knee arthroscopy. The traditional NSAIDs seem to be the first choice for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, when needed after elective arthroscopy of the knee.