Intra-Articular Morphine Versus Bupivacaine on Knee Motion in Patients With Osteoarthritis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis causes pain and disability in a high percentage of
elderly people. The aim of the present study was to compare the analgesic effect of
intra-articular bupivacaine and morphine in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized and double-blind study was performed at a Pain Clinic of São
Paulo Federal University.
METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with pain for more than 3 months and an intensity higher than 3
on a numerical scale (zero to 10) were included. G1 patients received 1 mg (1 ml) morphine
diluted in 9 ml saline by the intra-articular route, and G2 patients received 25 mg (10 ml)
0.25% bupivacaine without epinephrine. Pain was assessed on a numerical scale and knee
flexion and extension angles were measured after administration of the drugs at rest and
during movement. The total amount of analgesic complementation with 500 mg paracetamol was
also determined.