The adductor canal block provides effective analgesia similar to a femoral nerve block in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty—a retrospective study

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 39 - 44
• Main Authors: Patterson, Matthew E., MD, Bland, Kim S., MD, Thomas, Leslie C., MD, Elliott, Clint E., MD, Soberon, Jose R., MD, Nossaman, Bobby D., MD, Osteen, Kristie, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Acute pain management; Adductor canal block; Aged; Analgesics; Analgesics, Opioid - administration & dosage; Anesthesia & Perioperative Care; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - methods; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - rehabilitation; Body mass index; Catheters; Female; Femoral Nerve; Femoral nerve block; Humans; Joint surgery; Knee; Male; Medical personnel; Medical records; Middle Aged; Nerve Block - methods; Pain Medicine; Pain, Postoperative - prevention & control; Patients; Physical Therapy Modalities; Regional anesthesia; Retrospective Studies; Total knee arthroplasty; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Interventional - methods; Variables; Total knee arthroplasty; Adductor canal block; Regional anesthesia; Acute pain management; Femoral nerve block
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2014.08.005

Abstract Study Objective To determine the ability of an ultrasound-guided single-shot adductor canal block to provide adequate analgesia and improve performance during physical therapy. Design A retrospective chart review. Setting All procedures were performed at Ochsner Medical Center. Measurements Patient demographics as well as the type of peripheral nerve block performed. Pain scores and opioid consumption were recorded at postanesthesia care unit discharge and again at 8 ± 3, 16 ± 3, and 24 ± 3 hours. In addition, physical therapy performance was analyzed. Main Results There were no significant differences in pain scores or cumulative hydromorphone requirements between the adductor canal block group and the femoral nerve block group at any of the time points analyzed. Gait distance measured during physical therapy sessions in the adductor canal block group was superior compared with the femoral nerve block group. Conclusion Within the first 24 hours, a single-shot adductor canal block provides equally effective analgesia when compared with a femoral nerve block and improves postoperative physical therapy performance.