As an alternative to the various injection cocktails, Exparel, a liposomal-coated bupivicaine, was introduced as a long-acting form of bupivicaine, a local anesthetic. This new technology has been utilized by numerous orthopedic joint surgeons. Since its introduction there have been studies showing varying results in terms of postoperative pain control.~Therefore, it is our purpose to conduct a prospective, randomized control study to compare postoperative pain control in a series of patients treated with either:~a local cocktail.~a local cocktail plus Exparel.~marcaine plus Exparel prior to wound closure following knee arthroplasty.~METHODOLOGY~Subjects will be randomized preoperatively into three different groups on total knee subjects done at three different facilities. This study is single blinded study. The visual pain scale from 1-10 will be used to determine pain control at 3, 12, 24, and 48 hour time intervals postoperatively. Postoperative narcotic use will also be monitored at the same time intervals.
A prospective, randomized control study will be conducted to compare postoperative pain control in a series of patients treated with either:~a local cocktail.~a local cocktail plus Exparel.~marcaine plus Exparel prior to wound closure following knee arthroplasty.