Does Perineural Dexamethasone Prolong Duration of a Nerve Block?

Does Perineural Dexamethasone Prolong Duration of an Adductor Canal Block When Controlling for a Systemic Effect? A Paired, Randomized, Blinded, Study in Healthy Volunteers

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether dexamethasone as an adjuvant to ropivacaine for adductor canal block increases duration of the sensory block, when controlling for a systemic effect using a paired design and bilateral blocks.

The investigators hypothesize that adding dexamethasone to ropivacaine will prolong block duration compared with ropivacaine + placebo.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1
• Body Mass Index 18-30

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to study medication
• Earlier trauma or surgery to lower limb
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Daily intake of opioids or steroids last 4 weeks
• Daily intake of any analgesics last 48 hours