title: Pain control infusion pumps: a prospective randomized evaluation in bilateral total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: We prospectively monitored pain scores on 24 patients who underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients were blinded to receiving either a functional or placebo pain control infusion pumps. After 3 days, pump volume was recorded, and patients were asked to identify which knee they believed received the functional pain control infusion pump. Fourteen patients (58%) correctly identified their knee with the functional pain control infusion pump. Pump volumes ranged from 70 to 310 mL, with an average flow rate of 4.3 mL/hour. Positive identification rates were similar to rates routinely generated from standard placebo symptom treatment pain trials (0%-60%). Our data suggest that the placebo effect plays at least a partial role in pain control infusion pump effectiveness, and that pain control infusion pump use for TKA unpredictably contributes to postoperative pain management. [corrected]
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University Hospital, 3629 38th St NW #304, Washington, DC 20016, USA. evanargintar@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Argintar
authors.forename: Bracken
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zawadsky
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Romness
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine