Effect of Adductor Canal Block vs. Placebo on Muscle Strength, Mobilisation and Pain After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Effect of Adductor Canal Block vs. Placebo on Muscle Strength, Mobilisation and Pain on the First Post-operative Day After Total Knee Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of adductor canal block (ACB) vs. placebo on muscle strength, mobility and pain on the first postoperative day after total knee alloplastic (TKA).

Patients will be included on the first day after TKA surgery and randomized in two groups. Each group will receive 2 ACB with a 1 hour interval, one ACB with an active drug, Ropivacaine, and another ACB with a placebo drug, Saline.

At T0, arm ACB_active/placebo will receive the active ACB with Ropivacaine followed by the placebo ACB at T60 (60 minutes after T0).

At T0, arm ACB_placebo/active will receive the placebo ACB with Saline followed by the active ACB with Ropivacaine at T60 (60 minutes after T0).

Outcome measurements will be made at T60, 1 hour after the first ACB, and the difference in outcome between the groups will be compared.

Baseline values will be measured prior to the first ACB. Final measurements at T120 (120 minutes after the initial ACB), will determine if the differences between the groups are eliminated, since both groups then have received an active ACB.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have had a Total Knee Arthroplasty surgery within 2 days (1.postoperative day on inclusion)
• Written informed consent.
• ASA 1-3

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-cooperative patients
• Patients who have already had a peripheral or central block post surgery.
• Patients who are not able to perform a TUG test pre surgery.
• Patients who do not understand or speak Danish.
• Patient who are allergic to the drugs used in this research.
• Patients with alcohol- or drug abuse - determined by investigator.
• Patients with peripheral sensory neuropathy in their lower extremities.
• Pregnant patients.