Expectations, experiences and attitudes of orthopedic patients undergoing arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction toward postoperative pain and its management.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate expectations, experiences, and attitudes of orthopedic patients undergoing arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction in terms of postoperative pain and management.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand. snimmaanrat@yahoo.com.au
Sasikaan
S
Nimmaanrat
Boonsin
B
Tangtrakulwanich
Thunchanok
T
Wanasuwannakul
Thanarat
T
Boonriong
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics