Pain Predictors in Selected Postoperative Patients.

Abstract

This descriptive study described postoperative pain for 106 patients in a midwestern metropolitan hospital undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA, n = 21), total knee arthroplasty (TKA, n = 44), or microlumbar discectomy (MLD, n = 41); and ascertained factors that predicted postoperative pain. Postoperative pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and a "0" to "10" Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Postoperative pain was described as most intense during the first 28 hours following surgery (MLD M = 4.0, THA M = 3.1, TKA M = 4.3), and intermittently throughout the first 3 postoperative days during periods of decreased pain medications. Preceding pain intensity ratings were the strongest predictors of subsequent postoperative pain intensity ratings (Beta = .29 to .70). This study indicates more attention should be focused on preceding pain intensity ratings and more adequate analgesia in the immediate postoperative period.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA294642

Entities

People

  • Dean F. Degner

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analgesia
  • Anesthesia
  • Brain
  • Drug Abuse
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Pain
  • Pain Management
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.