Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is controversy in the literature regarding the role of single local infiltration analgesia (LIA) after total knee replacement (TKR). QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Is single LIA really efficient in controlling pain after TKR? METHODS: A Cochrane Library and PubMed (MEDLINE) search related to the justification LIA after TKR was analyzed. The main criteria for selection were that the articles were focused in the aforementioned question. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-nine articles were found until February 9, 2017, but only 27 were selected and reviewed because they were focused on clinical experience with LIA following TKR. Fifteen of them were considered level of evidence (I-II) while 12 had a lower level of evidence (III-IV). LIA reduced the amount of perioperative opioid administration and enabled adequate pain management in conjunction with oral medication without adverse effects. No clinically marked effects on the functional outcome after TKR were detected. CONCLUSION: Single dose LIA provides effective analgesia in the initial postoperative period after TKR in most randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.