Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8570016 | Geriatric Nursing | 2018 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
Proximal femoral fractures are becoming increasingly common with an ageing population. Many patients have multiple comorbidities increasing their risk of opiate complications. 40 consecutive patients presenting with a proximal femoral fracture to a trauma centre in the UK were given either a Fascia Iliaca Block (FIB) with oral analgesia or just oral analgesia to control their pre-operative pain. Numeric pain scores and morphine consumption were used as outcome measures. Patients receiving a FIB had significant reduction in their pain scores compared to patients only receiving oral pain relief. There was also a significant reduction in both the actual oral morphine taken and the renal calculated level of morphine products in the group receiving the FIB. Patients undergoing a FIB required almost 50Â mg less oral morphine pre-operatively. Nerve blocks should be used routinely to help pre-operative pain in proximal femoral fracture patients and to reduce the amount of morphine products prescribed. This prevents potential opiate complications in a highly susceptible cohort of patients often suffering with impaired renal function as a co-morbidity.
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Authors
Al-Amin M. MBBS, BSc (Hons), FRCS (Tr and Orth), Anthony T. MBBS, MSc, MRCS, Joanna FRCP, Rathan MBBS, FRCS (Tr and Orth),