The primary aim of this study is to evaluate if intra- and postoperative administration of ropivacaine, ketorolac and epinephrine into the operating field would affect morphine consumption. Secondary end-points are hospital stay, pain intensity and side effects. In an attempt to assess the safety of this technique, knee function and patient satisfaction scores are assessed up to 3 months after surgery.

Postoperative pain is often severe following knee arthroplasty. Recently, a local infiltration analgesia (LIA) technique was developed by Drs Kerr and Kohan in Sydney, Australia. With this LIA-technique, a long-acting local anesthetic (ropivacaine), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ketorolac), and epinephrine are infiltrated intraoperatively and via an intraarticular catheter postoperatively. We ahve completed a study on unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and the present study is investigating total knee arthroplasties.

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate if intra- and postoperative administration of ropivacaine, ketorolac and epinephrine into the operating field would affect morphine consumption. Secondary end-points are hospital stay, pain intensity and side effects. In an attempt to assess the safety of this technique, knee function and patient satisfaction scores are assessed up to 3 months after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty
• Aged 20-85 yrs
• ASA physical status I-III and mobility indicating normal postoperative mobilization

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergy or intolerance to one of the study drugs
• Serious liver-, heart- or renal decease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic pain or bleeding disorder