Femoral nerve block for total knee replacement — A word of caution

• Published in: The knee Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 98 - 100
• Main Authors: Kandasami, Mohanasundaram, Kinninmonth, Andrew WG, Sarungi, Martin, Baines, Joseph, Scott, Nicholas B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2009; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Cohort Studies; Female; Femoral Nerve; Femoral nerve blocks; Humans; Male; Mobility Limitation; Muscle Weakness - etiology; Nerve Block - adverse effects; Orthopedics; Post-operative mobilisation; Quadriceps Muscle; Surgical Wound Dehiscence - etiology; Total knee replacement; Femoral nerve blocks; Total knee replacement; Post-operative mobilisation

Abstract Femoral nerve block (FNB) is a well documented option for post-operative analgesia following major knee surgery. However, motor blockade may be prolonged preventing early mobilisation thereby increasing the length of stay. In addition, as a consequence of persistent quadriceps weakness, pat...