title: The intra-articular use of ropivacaine for the control of post knee arthroscopy pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this prospective randomised study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and the appropriate dose of the ropivacaine in the control of post-knee arthroscopy pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomised 60 patients in two groups to receive 10 ml/7.5 mg/ml ropivacaine (Group B) or 20 ml/7.5 mg/ml (Group A) at the end of a routine knee arthroscopy. We monitored the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, allergic reactions, headache, nausea, we assessed the pain using the visual analogue score at intervals of 1,2,3,4 and 6 hours after the operation. and we recorded the need for extra analgesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intraarticular use of the ropivacaine provided excellent control of pain after knee arthroscopy. At two hours post-operatively there wasn't any difference between the two groups. Afterwards, the Group A showed increased pain and need for supplementary medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that intraarticular use of ropivacaine is effective to reduce post-operative pain minimising the use of systematic analgesia.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Veria Hospital, Greece. msamolad@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Efthimios P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Samoladas
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chalidis
authors.forename: Hlias
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fotiadis
authors.forename: Ioanis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Terzidis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ntobas
authors.forename: Miltos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koimtzis