The Effect of Position Support During Orthopedic Surgery on Postoperative Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundPositional pain affect the patient’s healing process after the operation. Anti-pressure positioning pads are medical products used to support the patient positioning during surgical procedures.AimsThe aim of the study was to examine pain related to positioning when anti-pressure gel pads and current visoelastic sponge support options are used during orthopedic surgical cases.DesignThe randomized controlled experimental study.SettingsThe operating room of an educational research hospital.Participants/SubjectsThe study consisted of 100 patients (50 control group and 50 study group) undergoing surgery in a supine position.MethodsInformation form, McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scale were used for data collection. Routine institutional policy was applied to the control group. Study group patients were additionally supported with antipressure position gel pads on the operating table.ResultsThe rate of pain presence in areas other than the operative area was significantly lower in the patients in the study group (p = .001). The patients in the control group reported that preoperative pain in the waist area increased to unbearable levels during operation. In addition, it was noted that the “addition of the anti-pressure gel pads” resulted in study group patients being mobilized significantly early (p = .001).ConclusionsThe conclusion of this study demonstrated that postoperative pain related to positioning, not the surgical procedure itself, was decreased when antipressure gel pads and viscoelastic sponge support were used together. An unanticipated benefit discovered during the study was earlier mobilization of the study group compared to the control group.