The Site of Pain and the Time Course of Pain Intensity in the Acute Period after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the site of pain and the time course of pain intensity during the acute period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). [Subjects] Participants were 197 patients who received TKA. [Methods] The site and intensity of knee pain were evaluated each day from the day after surgery (postoperative day 1) to the day of discharge. [Results] The patients had significantly less pain at rest and during walking on postoperative day 2 than on postoperative day 1. Additionally, the patients had significantly less pain during walking on postoperative days 3 to 5 than on postoperative day 2. Many patients reported pain at the wound, medial patella area, and popliteal fossa at rest, and at the wound, popliteal fossa, medial patella area, and anterior thigh during walking. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that it is important that early rehabilitation takes account of pain in regions other than the wound.