Effects of a Continuous Adductor Canal Block After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Orthopedics. 2023 May;46(3):185-191. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20230125-01. Epub 2023 Jan 30.

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty receiving periarticular anesthetic injections (PAIs) with and without continuous adductor canal blocks (CACBs) regarding early postoperative narcotic use, pain scores, and range of motion with otherwise similar postoperative regimens. Two hundred ninety-four patients were included: 120 received PAIs with CACBs, and 174 received PAIs only. Matched analysis was performed for type of anesthesia. There were substantial decreases in early inpatient narcotic use with the addition of CACBs to PAIs with general and spinal anesthesia without an adverse effect on pain, knee range of motion, or length of stay. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(3):185-191.].

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Anesthetics, Local / therapeutic use
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Nerve Block* / adverse effects
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Analgesics, Opioid