Intra-Articular Bupivacaine Reduces Postoperative Pain and Meperidine Use After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study

One hundred patients receiving unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) were randomized to receive an intra-articular injection of 300 mg bupivacaine or normal saline after completion of surgery. Pain scores of the bupivacaine group were significantly lower than those of the control group the first 12 hours postoperatively (all, P < 0.001). A significantly lower dose of meperidine was used in the study group than in the control group the first 24 hours postoperatively (median, 25 vs. 45 mg, P < 0.001). Nineteen patients in the study group required meperidine the first day after surgery, as compared to 45 patients in the control group. We conclude that intra-articular injection of bupivacaine after THA reduces pain and meperidine use in the first 12 hours after surgery.