Pär Wennberg1, Rolf Norlin2, Johan Herlitz3, Elisabeth Kenne Sarenmalm4, Margareta Möller5. 1. Research and Development Centre, Skaraborg Hospital, Skövde, Sweden; University Health Care Research Centre, Region Örebro, and School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Sweden. Electronic address: par.wennberg@vgregion.se. 2. Capio Movement, Halmstad, Sweden; Department of Orthopedics, Örebro University Hospital, and Örebro University, Sweden. Electronic address: rolf.norlin@gmail.com. 3. The Centre of Prehospital Research in Western Sweden, University College of Borås, Sweden; The Centre of Prehospital Research in Western Sweden, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: johan.herlitz@hb.se. 4. Research and Development Centre, Skaraborg Hospital, Skövde, Sweden. Electronic address: elisabeth.kenne.sarenmalm@vgregion.se. 5. University Health Care Research Centre, Region Örebro, and School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Sweden.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:Pain management in patients with hip fractures is a major challenge for emergency care. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the supplementation of pre-operative analgesia with low-dose fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) compared with placebo would improve pain relief in patients with hip fractures. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 127 patients. At hospital admission, a low-dose FICB was administered to patients with hip fractures as a supplement to regular pre-operative analgesia. Patients with and without cognitive impairment were included. The instruments used were a visual analogue scale (VAS), a numerical rating scale and a tool for behavior related pain assessment. The primary endpoint was the change in reported pain on movement from hospital admission to two hours after FICB. RESULTS: The intervention group showed improved pain management by mean VAS score for pain on movement compared with the control group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the use of low-dose FICB as a pain-relieving adjuvant to other analgesics when administered to patients with a hip fracture.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION:Pain management in patients with hip fractures is a major challenge for emergency care. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the supplementation of pre-operative analgesia with low-dose fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) compared with placebo would improve pain relief in patients with hip fractures. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 127 patients. At hospital admission, a low-dose FICB was administered to patients with hip fractures as a supplement to regular pre-operative analgesia. Patients with and without cognitive impairment were included. The instruments used were a visual analogue scale (VAS), a numerical rating scale and a tool for behavior related pain assessment. The primary endpoint was the change in reported pain on movement from hospital admission to two hours after FICB. RESULTS: The intervention group showed improved pain management by mean VAS score for pain on movement compared with the control group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the use of low-dose FICB as a pain-relieving adjuvant to other analgesics when administered to patients with a hip fracture.