Lower extremity pain is commonly reported after orthopedic surgery. This has prompted the development of many treatment modalities for managing the same. Thus, the prophylactic effects of oral gabapentin, pregabalin and celecoxib on reducing postsurgical pain of the lower extremity orthopedic surgery were compared in a recent study.

120 patients were enrolled and randomized into four groups who received 300 mg oral gabapentin; 75 mg oral pregabalin; 200 mg oral celecoxib; and starch as a placebo, 1 h before spinal anesthesia. The severity of postoperative pain (employing a visual analog scale), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, opioid consumption dose, and drug side effects were documented six times (at 1-hour interval two times, followed by every 6 h for the next four times).  

Pain severity reduced significantly only at the first time measurement between pregabalin and placebo groups. pregabalin group patients required a lower dose of opioids than the placebo group during admission to the surgical ward. 

 pregabalin, gabapentin, and celecoxib groups demonstrated similarities regarding pain reduction, opioid administration, and side effects.

Thus administering 75 mg pregabalin orally before lower extremity orthopedic surgery can reduce postoperative pain, particularly during the 1st h postoperation along with more nominal opioid consumption and considerably better patients satisfaction.