The Influence of the Femoral Nerve Block on Quadriceps Strength

The Influence of the Femoral Nerve Block on the Quadriceps Strength After Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement is a frequent procedure in Québec's hospitals and the muscular strength of the quadriceps is the best indicator of the patient's functional recovery post surgery. Thus, the importance of the patient's recovery leads to the evaluation of the influence of the femoral nerve block on the muscle strength.

The purpose of the study is to compare the short term and long term recuperation of the quadriceps' motor strength of after a total knee arthroplasty using different types of analgesics such as the continuous femoral nerve block, the single dose femoral nerve block and the systemic analgesic, a patient controlled analgesic pump.

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 18 years old
• men or women needing an elective total knee replacement surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• unicompartmental arthroplasty
• revision surgery for knee arthroplasty
• previous surgery on same knee
• previous fracture of femur/patella with functional after-effects
• allergies or contraindication to any medication used during study or to local anaesthesia technique
• preexisting neurological deficit
• severe anomaly of intracardiac conduction
• previous vascular surgery near the site of introduction of the catheter
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• ASA IV or V14 class
• Men or women > 18 years old unfit to consent
• < 18 years old
• Refusal to sign consent form