Advancements in Postoperative Pain Control Following Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review

Effective postoperative pain control is crucial for optimizing recovery and improving the patient outcomes following arthroplasty. Advances in multimodal analgesia, regional anesthesia, and systemic adjuvants have significantly reduced opioid dependence while enhancing comfort and early mobilization. Techniques such as adductor canal and infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the posterior knee blocks, local infiltration analgesia, and the use of agents like dexmedetomidine, gabapentinoids, and lidocaine have improved pain relief and functional outcomes. Emerging innovations – such as liposomal bupivacaine, cryoneurolysis, and pharmacogenomic-guided personalized analgesia – represent the next frontier in achieving sustained, patient-centered pain control. Despite these developments, challenges remain in terms of cost, accessibility, and standardization. Future strategies should focus on integrating individualized, evidence-based, and technologically supported pain management within enhanced recovery pathways.