Effect of Adductor Canal Block Versus Femoral Nerve Block on Quadriceps Strength, Function, and Postoperative Pain After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Level 1 Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 2305-2313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Dean Edwards ◽  
Joseph Preston Bethea ◽  
Jennifer Lee Hunnicutt ◽  
Harris Scott Slone ◽  
Shane Kelby Woolf
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Femoral Nerve Block ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Femoral Nerve ◽  
Quadriceps Strength ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Functional Measures ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Straight Leg Raise

Background: Femoral nerve block (FNB) is a popular technique for reducing postoperative pain in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but it is also linked to a number of adverse effects, such as quadriceps weakness, antalgic ambulation, and increased fall risk. Adductor canal block (ACB) has been offered as a motor nerve–sparing alternative to FNB. Purpose: To evaluate available literature that compares the effects of ACB and FNB on functional outcomes after arthroscopic ACLR. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Following the 2009 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a search of PubMed (Ovid), CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was conducted. Search terms were designed to capture studies comparing the effects of ACB and FNB in patients undergoing arthroscopic ACLR. Data were evaluated regarding study and patient characteristics, functional measures, opioid consumption, pain scores, and complications. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (N = 655 patients) comparing the efficacy of ACB versus FNB in arthroscopic ACLR were included. The heterogeneity of outcome measures precluded meta-analysis. Seven studies reported functional measures, which included isokinetic strength, straight-leg raise, and other various measures. Follow-up periods varied between 1 hour and 6 months. In 3 trials, ACB was found to preserve quadriceps strength as measured using straight-leg raise for the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery, while 3 other trials found no difference between the groups. No differences were reported in isokinetic strength at 6 months. In other functional measures, ACB either outperformed or was equivalent to FNB. The majority of studies reporting opioid consumption, pain scores, and complications found no differences between the blocks. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that when compared with FNB, ACB preserves quadriceps function in the early postoperative period after ACLR while providing a similar level of analgesia. Limitations of this study include the use of various functional measures and limited long-term follow-up. More research evaluating long-term functional outcomes with standardized measures is needed to draw adequate conclusions regarding the effects of ACB and FNB on function after ACLR.

Adductor Canal Block Versus Femoral Nerve Block for Pain Control After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Randomized Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan R. Lynch ◽  
Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽  
Vincent Lizzio ◽  
Charles C. Yu ◽  
Toufic R. Jildeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Femoral Nerve Block ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Femoral Nerve ◽  
Thigh Circumference ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Straight Leg Raise

Background: Femoral nerve block (FNB) is a commonly performed technique that has been proven to provide effective regional analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The adductor canal block (ACB) uses a similar sensory block around the knee while avoiding motor blockade of the quadriceps muscles. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of our study was to compare the efficacy of FNB versus ACB for pain control after ACL reconstruction. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in pain levels or opioid requirements between the 2 groups. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: We performed a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft were randomized to receive either an ACB or an FNB preoperatively. The primary outcomes assessed were pain levels (visual analog scale) and narcotic requirements for 4 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included ability to perform a straight leg raise in the recovery room and difference in thigh circumference between the operative and nonoperative leg measured at 7 days postoperatively. Results: Morphine requirements were less in the ACB group in the first 4 hours postoperatively ( P = .02). Aside from this time interval, no differences were found between the 2 groups with regard to opioid requirements and pain scores at any other time. Similarly, no differences were noted in patients’ ability to perform a straight leg raise in the recovery room ( P = .13) or in thigh circumference at the first postoperative visit ( P = .09). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest similar efficacy in perioperative pain control with the use of an ACB for ACL reconstruction when compared with FNB. The potential long-term benefit of quadriceps preservation with the ACB is worthy of future study. Registration: NCT03033589 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Adductor Canal Block Provides Noninferior Analgesia and Superior Quadriceps Strength Compared with Femoral Nerve Block in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (5) ◽  
pp. 1053-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faraj W. Abdallah ◽  
Daniel B. Whelan ◽  
Vincent W. Chan ◽  
Govindarajulu A. Prasad ◽  
Ryan V. Endersby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Femoral Nerve Block ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Femoral Nerve ◽  
Quadriceps Strength ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Abstract Background By targeting the distal branches of the femoral nerve in the mid-thigh, the adductor canal block (ACB) can preserve quadriceps muscle strength while providing analgesia similar to a conventional femoral nerve block (FNB) for inpatients undergoing major knee surgery. In this randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial, the authors hypothesized that ACB provides postoperative analgesia that is at least as good as FNB while preserving quadriceps strength after outpatient anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods A total of 100 patients were randomized to receive ACB or FNB with 20 ml ropivacaine 0.5% (with epinephrine). The authors sequentially tested the joint hypothesis that ACB is noninferior to FNB for cumulative oral morphine equivalent consumption and area under the curve for pain scores during the first 24 h postoperatively and also superior to FNB for postblock quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results The authors analyzed 52 and 48 patients who received ACB and FNB, respectively. Compared with preset noninferiority margins, the ACB–FNB difference (95% CI) in morphine consumption and area under the curve for pain scores were −4.8 mg (−12.3 to 2.7) (P = 0.03) and −71 mm h (−148 to 6) (P < 0.00001), respectively, indicating noninferiority of ACB for both outcomes. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction for ACB and FNB at 45 min were 26.6 pound-force (24.7–28.6) and 10.6 pound-force (8.3–13.0) (P < 0.00001), respectively, indicating superiority of ACB. Conclusion Compared with FNB, the study findings suggest that ACB preserves quadriceps strength and provides noninferior postoperative analgesia for outpatients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

scholarly journals INTRA-ARTICULAR MORPHINE AND ROPIVACAINE INJECTION PROVIDES EFFICACIOUS ANALGESIA COMPARED TO FEMORAL NERVE BLOCK IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS POST-OPERATIVELY AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION WITH BTB IN AN ADOLESCENT COHORT

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0002
Author(s):  
Brendon C. Mitchell ◽  
Matthew Y. Siow ◽  
Andrew T. Pennock ◽  
Eric W. Edmonds ◽  
Tracey P. Bastrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Nerve Block ◽  
Femoral Nerve Block ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Femoral Nerve ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Peripheral Block

Background: Opioid consumption and patient satisfaction are influenced by a surgeon’s pain management protocol and the use of adjunctive pain mediators. Two commonly utilized adjunctive pain modifiers for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction include femoral nerve blockade and intra-articular injection; however, debate remains as to the most efficacious methodology. Hypothesis/Purpose: We hypothesize that intra-articular injection with ropivacaine and morphine is as efficacious as a femoral nerve block injection of ropivacaine, dexamethasone, and dexmedetomidine for post-operative pain management in the first 24 hours after bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) ACL reconstruction. Methods: Charts were retrospectively reviewed for a single pediatric orthopedic surgeon performing BTB ACL reconstructions from 2013-2019. One hundred sixteen patients were identified, of whom 58 received intra-articular injection and 58 received single shot femoral nerve block. All patients were admitted for 24 hours. Pain scores were assessed every 4 hours. Morphine milligram equivalents (MME) consumed were tabulated for each patient. Results: Opioid use was 24.3 MMEs in patients treated with intra-articular injection vs 28.5MMEs in those with peripheral block (p=0.108). Consumption of MMEs was greater in the intra-articular group in the 0-4 hours period (7.1 MMEs vs. 4.6 MMEs, p=0.008). There was significantly less MME consumption in patients receiving intra-articular injection compared with peripheral block at 16-20 and 20-24 hours (3.2 MMEs vs. 5.6 MMEs, p=0.01; 3.8 MMEs vs. 6.5 MMEs, p<0.001 respectively). Mean pain scores were not significantly different over the 24-hour period (peripheral block=2.7, intra-articular injection=3.0, p=0.19). Conclusion: Moving away from the use of peripheral nerve block as an analgesic modality may be challenging given the multidisciplinary role of pain management in these patients. However, as Ramlogan et al. succinctly noted in their recent editorial “Anterior cruciate ligament repair and peripheral nerve blocks: time to change our practice?” in the British Journal of Anesthesia, both orthopedic and anesthesia colleagues alike are beginning to recognize that it is a change that may benefit our patients. Our study strengthens this argument and shows that there is no significant difference in MME consumption between the femoral nerve block and intra-articular injection groups in the first 24 hours post-operatively. While peripheral block is associated with lower opioid consumption in the first 4 hours after surgery, patients receiving intra-articular block require less opioids 16-24 hours post-operatively. Given these findings, we propose that intra-articular injection is a viable alternative for analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing BTB ACL reconstruction. [Table: see text][Figure: see text]

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