Analgesic Effect of Escitalopram in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
Analgesic Effect of Escitalopram in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
Pain is a major problem after TKA, especially in patients with high pain catastrophizing.
 Newer MR-scan studies indicate that Escitalopram may have an immediate cognitive and
 emotional effect. The investigators therefore investigate the effect of Escitalopram as a
 perioperative analgesic.
Pain is a major problem after TKA, especially in patients with high pain catastrophizing.
 Newer MR-scan studies indicate that Escitalopram may have an immediate cognitive and
 emotional effect. Patients with high pain catastrophizing are mentally vulnerable and may be
 sensitive to the effects of Escitalopram.

 We therefore investigate the effect of Escitalopram as a perioperative analgesic in this
 group of patients where the pain problem is pronounced.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Primary, unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA)

 -  Age > 18 > 81

 -  Ethnic Danes

 -  Score > 20 on Pain Catastrophising Scale

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Medication that causes risk in combination with SSRI (6 month)

 -  Treatment for anxiety or depression

 -  History of depression or mania

 -  Treatment with systemic glucocorticoids (6 month)

 -  Treatment with opioids (4 weeks)

 -  Alcohol or drug abuse

 -  History of malignancy

 -  Fertile woman

 -  History of epilepsia

 -  Treatment with anticoagulants

 -  BMI > 40

 -  Disease affecting central or peripheral nerve function

 -  Dementia

 -  History of gastrointestinal bleeding

 -  History of hepato- or renal insufficiency

 -  Allergy to Escitalopram