Purpose: NSAIDs and analgesic drugs are used intra-articularly after knee arthroscopy for pain relief. However, synovial effusion is still a common cause of delayed physical therapy. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the beneficial effect of intra-articular injection of Tenoxicam on knee effusion after arthroscopy.
Method: This was a prospective non-randomized study on 134 patients with a mean age of 36.7 years. Knee arthroscopy on a day-case basis was performed; normal saline was used for irrigation. At the end of the procedure, fluid was aspirated from the knee joint and 20 ml of Tenoxicam diluted with 20 ml of 0.9% normal saline was injected into the knee five minutes before deflation of limb tourniquet. The same surgeon performed clinical examination for knee effusion 14 days postoperatively.
Results: Encountered pathologies included meniscal injury, degenerative arthropathy, synovial plica and ACL rupture. Knee effusion developed in 15.7% of the patients, particularly in those with degenerative arthropathy (p = 0.006) and meniscal lesions (p = 0.06).
Conclusion: Intra-articular Tenoxicam is a simple method for the prevention of postoperative knee effusion. Degenerative arthropathy and meniscal lesions are major risk factors for post arthroscopy knee effusion.