Gillette Research Shows Periarticular Injections Improve Mobility and Decrease Length of Stay After Hip Preservation Surgery

Gillette researchers including Dr. Alison Dittmer compared two pain management techniques used during periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) surgeries at Gillette. The retrospective review looked at the traditional method of pain management, epidural anesthesia, and a burgeoning method, periarticular injections given directly into tissues around the joint during surgery.

Methodology and results

The team reviewed records of 178 patients who had PAO between 2018 and 2024; 44 received an epidural, while 134 received the periarticular injection. All patients were 10 or older and received anti-inflammatory medication (Toradol) after surgery. Results showed patients with periarticular injections mobilized faster and had shorter hospital stays.

The team determined periarticular injections: 

• Can replace epidurals
• Don’t require ultrasound guidance or specialized anesthesia teams
• Allow patients to get up much faster after surgery
• Reduce hospital stay significantly 

These benefits are a win for the hospital, the surgeon, and, most importantly, the patient. 

Dr. Dittmer and the team know studies like this can shape how postsurgical pain is managed, especially for orthopedic procedures like hip preservation surgery. She says, “Ultimately, our results suggest that ‘less can be more’ in effective pain care. Less equipment, less intervention, and less time in the hospital still led to excellent outcomes for patients.”