Ultrasound-guided Adductor Canal Block for Total Knee Replacement

Ultrasound-guided Adductor Canal Block for Total Knee Replacement: a Randomized, Double-blind Placebo Controlled Trial.

Total knee arthroplasty is associated with intense early postoperative pain. Fast track recovery programs including early therapy protocols and early hospital discharge are being implemented at various hospitals. The postoperative analgesic pain regimen should enhance functional recovery in addition to providing efficient analgesia with minimal side effects. Adductor canal blockade is commonly used to provide postoperative analgesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. The investigators hypothesize that an ultrasound guided adductor canal block will lower narcotic consumption and improved overall satisfaction compared to ultrasound guided sham block with normal saline (placebo) for patients undergoing minimally invasive TKA surgery.

The investigators hypothesize that an ultrasound guided adductor canal block will lower narcotic consumption and improved overall satisfaction compared to ultrasound guided sham block with normal saline (placebo) for patients undergoing minimally invasive TKA surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants 40 to 75 years old who are presenting for minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal
• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification of 4 or higher
• Pre-existing neuropathy in the femoral or sciatic distribution
• Coagulopathy
• Infection at the site
• Chronic opioid use (greater than 3 months)
• Pregnancy
• Medical conditions limiting physical therapy participation
• Any other contra-indication to regional anesthesia