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Background and Aims Rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) routinely starts immediately after surgery on the postoperative ward and therefore requires adequate analgesia. Peripheral nerve block is associated with improved early analgesia and ambulation which is significant in patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty. This study mainly determined the impact of peripheral nerve block on post operative pain and early ambulation of patients who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Methods The researcher conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent unilateral TKA surgeries from the year 2017 to 2021 in a single institution. The sample size of 18 subjects per group was computed with 20% allowance, with a total sample size of at least 36. Patients were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two (2) groups: those who received peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial techniques.

Results We found the use of PNBs to be associated with significant lower numerical pain rating scale upon movement at 24th and 48th hour post-operatively with p values of < 0.05. Moreover, patients were also able to ambulate earlier, with an increase in knee range of motion as well as walking with assistance at 24th hour and without assistance at 48th hour post-operatively compared to those who received neuraxial techniques.

Conclusions Therefore, PNBs are effective in reducing post-operative pain and promoting early ambulation in patients undergoing unilateral TKA surgeries. Incorporating PNBs into pain management protocols for TKA procedures may lead to improved patient outcomes and faster recovery.