Within 48 hours after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), pain and requirement for analgesic use reduced comparably with perioperative oral Pregabalin and Duloxetine while having no effect on knee mobility, according to a double-blind clinical trial. Researchers compared the impact of Pregabalin and Duloxetine on post-knee arthroplasty pain management. Overall, 60 subjects scheduled for TKA under spinal anesthesia were randomized to Group A (75 mg Pregabalin), Group B (30 mg Duloxetine), and Group C (placebo).

Ninety minutes prior, 12, and 24 hours post-surgery, medications were given. The WOMAC score six months following surgery, the initial analgesic request time, the postoperative analgesic consumption (intravenous Paracetamol), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain were also noted.

In comparison with the placebo, groups A and B illustrated considerably reduced VAS scores and analgesic intake 48 hours after TKA. Groups A and B had lengthier first analgesic request times than group C. Although the differences were statistically important, it is most likely that they are not clinically important. Before and six months after arthroplasty, there was no inter-group difference in  WOMAC scores. Thus, Pregabalin and Duloxetine administration in TKA considerably reduces postoperative pain score and analgesic intake.