Local block for postoperative knee arthroscopy pain management: a retrospective study.

Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common orthopedic procedures done in the United States. It usually is performed as an outpatient procedure. This retrospective study was designed to assess the level of postoperative analgesia provided by the local knee block. According to the anesthesia technique received, 59 patients were categorized in group 1 (general anesthesia) or group 2 (general or monitored anesthesia care with local knee block). The severity of the knee pain was assessed using verbal pain rating scores during the anesthesia recovery period, before patients left the hospital, and again on the first postoperative day. Patients in group 2 had significantly lower pain scores compared with patients in group 1 during these periods. Results suggest that the local knee block provides superior postoperative analgesia for the knee arthroscopy patient.