Key result
Continuous epidural methadone linked to reduced severe pain and early mobilization in high-risk femoral fractures.
Why the study?
Does continuous epidural methadone analgesia reduce pain and enable early mobilization in elderly patients with osteoporotic proximal femoral fractures at high surgical risk?
Observational
Does continuous epidural methadone analgesia reduce pain and enable early mobilization in elderly patients with osteoporotic proximal femoral fractures at high surgical risk?
Continuous epidural methadone analgesia may be a safe and effective method for pain management and early mobilization in high-surgical-risk elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures.
Hypothesis-generating for epidural methadone in high-risk elderly femoral fractures; randomized trials needed before practice change.
Epidural methadone analgesia was initiated soon after admission to emergency room in elderly patients who sustained osteoporotic proximal femoral fracture and who were considered to be high surgical risks. The severe pain was significantly reduced, enabling early mobilization of the patients. The analgesia was discontinued only when nonnarcotic analgesia sufficed. The treatment lasted for about 3.5 weeks. One minor complication was observed during the treatment period. We concluded that patients who have femoral neck fracture who are at high risk for operation and have to be observed and stabilized before operation can be managed by continuous epidural methadone analgesia.
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Nyska et al. (1989) conducted an observational in Osteoporotic proximal femoral fracture. Epidural methadone analgesia was evaluated on Severe pain reduction and early mobilization. Continuous epidural methadone analgesia significantly reduced severe pain and enabled early mobilization in elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures at high surgical risk.
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