Patient Information Resources


Alpine Physical Therapy
Three Locations
In North, South, and Downtown Missoula
Missoula, MT 59804
Ph: 406-251-2323
Fax: 406-251-2999
Info@AlpinePTmissoula.com






Ankle
Child Orthopedics
Elbow
Foot
General
Hand
Hip
Knee
Pain Management
Shoulder
Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic
Wrist

« Back

I am very allergic to most of the narcotics used after surgery. But I'm scheduled to have a total knee replacement. How can I manage the pain without using these drugs alone?

There are some alternative ways to control pain that don't involve any medications. Acupuncture, hypnosis, and electrical stimulation are three of the more commonly used non-drug ways to manage pain. Sometimes they are used together.

There are also other ways to control or manage your pain using medications. A new pain control method is called the periarticular cocktail injection. Periarticular refers to anything near or around the joint. Cocktail describes a mixture of medications combined together.

These drugs are injected into the joint space after the old bone is removed but before the implant is put in place. A second injection is done into the soft tissues around the joint after the implant is inserted.

The results of the first study suggest this may help improve function faster. And for those who can only tolerate a small amount of narcotic, it contains an antibiotic, antiinflammatory, and numbing agent. Results after three months of follow-up are just as good as for patients receiving the more standard drugs.

It's important that you discuss this problem with your surgeon. Reducing and controlling pain and other problems after surgery is as important as the operation itself.


References:

« Back





*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.


All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission.