Postoperative pain and patient satisfaction are not influenced by daytime and duration of knee and hip arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study

Purpose

The number of total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA and TKA) is steadily increasing. Many factors that influence pain have been reported, but little is known about the correlation between the time of day and the duration of surgery and postoperative pain. On one hand, surgical interventions are performed faster due to economic pressure; on the other hand, obtaining sound surgical skills and a thorough education are most important for young surgeons, particularly at university hospitals. Amidst these different interests, it is the patient who should be the focus of all medical efforts. Therefore, our study investigated the effects of the time of day and the duration of total knee and hip arthroplasty on postoperative pain perception and patient satisfaction.

Methods

623 patients were analyzed 24 h after primary total knee or hip arthroplasty regarding pain, patient satisfaction, and side effects by means of the questionnaires of the German-wide project Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Management (QUIPS).

Results

The time of day and the duration of knee or hip arthroplasty were not correlated with maximum, minimum, and activity-related pain and patient satisfaction rated on a numeric rating scale (NRS).

Conclusions

This study is the first to show that neither the time of day nor the duration of surgery has any influence on patient satisfaction and postoperative pain 24 h after total knee or hip arthroplasty; regarding these aspects, young orthopaedic surgeons may be trained in the operating theatre without time pressure.