Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for successful recovery and rehabilitation in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. Epidural analgesia and femoral nerve block are commonly used techniques, yet comparative studies on their efficacy and outcomes are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, impact on rehabilitation and complication rates of epidural analgesia versus femoral nerve block in controlling postoperative pain among hip replacement patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 120 patients who underwent hip replacement surgery at a single tertiary care center. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received epidural analgesia (n=60) and those who received a femoral nerve block (n=60). Pain control efficacy, analgesic consumption, mobility (measured by days to first ambulation) and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Data were analyzed using Chi‐square and t‐tests, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The epidural analgesia group showed a slightly higher rate of effective pain control (85% vs. 78%), though this was not statistically significant (p=0.057). The epidural group also reported lower average pain scores (VAS 4.3 vs. 4.8, p=0.049) and required fewer analgesic doses compared to the femoral nerve block group (p=0.036). Patients receiving femoral nerve block ambulated sooner than those with epidural analgesia (2.1 days vs. 2.5 days, p=0.001). The incidence of complications was higher in the epidural group, but not significantly (23% vs. 13%, p=0.098). Both epidural analgesia and femoral nerve block are effective for postoperative pain management in hip replacement surgery, with each having distinct advantages. Epidural analgesia may provide better pain control and reduce the need for additional analgesics, while femoral nerve block appears to facilitate earlier rehabilitation through quicker ambulation. Decisions on pain management techniques should be tailored to individual patient needs and conditions.
How to cite this article:
Sushrut Pulgaonkar, Yash Shah and Amup Gajbhiye. Comparison of Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Hip Replacement with Epidural Analgesia vs. Femoral Nerve Block.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2025.2.319.323
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2025.2.319.323