105 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) were randomized to investigate the safety and efficacy of local infiltration analgesia alone or in combination with continuous infusion of local anaesthetic after total hip arthroplasty, compared to a placebo. Patients were evaluated postoperatively based on opioid consumption, pain, side effects and patient satisfaction. The evidence presented in this study revealed no significant differences between a placebo, local infiltration alone or when followed by continuous infusion of ropivacaine in terms of opioid consumption, analgesic benefit, or patient satisfaction.