Postoperative Pain Management After Invasive Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital: a Prospective Study

Abstract

Background Postoperative pain management forms an integral part of healing and rehabilitation following orthopedic surgery procedures. Adequate pain control prevents the occurrence of postoperative complications and chronic pain. These pose a big challenge to clinicians. It has been shown that postoperative pain is largely undertreated due to several factors, including not having well organized pain management protocols. This study assessed postoperative pain management following orthopedic surgical procedures in Kenyatta National Hospital, that was shown to remain undermanaged. Study Objective: To assess the adequacy of postoperative pain management following orthopedic surgery procedures. Study Design: This was a prospective study, Study procedure: This study was conducted on patients scheduled for an invasive lower limb orthopedic surgery and entailed collection of data preoperatively and at 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. The International Pain Outcome Questionnaire (IPOQ) was used for data collection with evaluation of additional covariates influencing pain control following orthopedic surgery procedures. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years who are scheduled for an invasive lower limb orthopedic surgery were recruited into the study. Convenient sampling was used as all patients stood an equal chance for recruitment. Data Processing: Descriptive data was analyzed using SPSS® version 24 and presented as central tendencies (means, medians and percentages). The inferential results was then presented in details using simple charts, tables, and diagrams. Utility of the study: The study will help identify gaps in postoperative pain control following orthopedic surgeries and possibly influence development of a postoperative pain management protocol. Study Time: The study was conducted between March 2022 and May 2022.