Comparison of Pain Relief After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery: Adductor Canal Block and Genicular Nerve Block

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Adductor Canal Block and Genicular Nerve Block on Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Use in Arthroscopic Knee Surgeries

This prospective randomized study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of Adductor Canal Block (ACB) and Genicular Nerve Block (GNB) groups to relieve postoperative pain in participants between ages of 18-72 undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under spinal anesthesia. The main question it aims to answer is:

To demonstrate whether Adductor Canal Block or Genicular Nerve Block is more effective in postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery based on pain scores, opioid consumption and patient satisfaction.

Arthroscopic knee surgeries cause severe pain especially with movement in the post-operative period. After surgery, the movements of the participants are severely restricted because of pain, which increases the possibility of complications and postpones post-operative knee exercises. In this study, the participants' pain status, VAS score, opioid consumption and patient satisfaction will be measured with a simple scoring system for 24 hours at predetermined time points and then compared. Both types of blocks have pain-relieving effects. This study will only investigate which one is more effective in reducing pain, and there will be no deficiency in relieving the pain of the participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Voluntary willingness to participate in the study.
• Patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery (meniscus, ACL, arthroscopic intervention etc).
• ASA I-II-III classification.
• Aged between 18-72 years.
• No contraindications for regional anesthesia, and deemed suitable for regional anesthesia by the anesthesiologist.
• Undergoing surgery under spinal anesthesia.
• Fully oriented and able to cooperate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.
• Chronic analgesic use.
• Presence of an active infection at the procedure site.
• Outside the appropriate age range.
• Inability to comply with postoperative pain/NRS follow-ups.
• ASA IV-V classification.
• Non-voluntary patients.
• Pregnancy.