scholarly journals Ideal Anatomic Location for Saphenous Nerve Block for Foot and Ankle Surgeries: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0003
Author(s):  
Karl Henrikson ◽  
Sanjib Adhikary ◽  
Gregory Pace ◽  
Wai Liu ◽  
Paul Juliano ◽  
...  

Category: Regional anesthesia for foot and ankle surgery Introduction/Purpose: Regional anesthesia has resulted in significant improvements in patient outcomes including reduced postoperative pain, opioid consumption, opioid-related adverse effects, and decreased postoperative length of stay. Saphenous nerve blocks provide distal analgesia while minimizing the reduction in quadriceps strength seen with more proximal femoral nerve blocks. Saphenous nerve blocks may be performed at the mid-thigh with the subsartorial technique or just proximal to the knee with the transsartorial technique. The present study compares these two techniques in terms of analgesia effectiveness and quadriceps motor preservation. Methods: This study was approved by our institutional IRB committee. A power analysis was conducted prior to the study. Patients, aged 18 to 65, were prospectively identified from a list of elective foot and ankle surgeries performed by one of the study investigators. Preoperatively, bilateral isometric knee extension strength was measured, and subjects completed a PROMIS global health survey. The surgeon was blinded to the randomization of patients to proximal or distal blocks. Bilateral isometric knee extension strength was reassessed following the block as well as sensation, post-operative visual analogue pain score (VAS), and subjective satisfaction. Due to non-normality of the sample, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was employed to analyze continuous variables such as strength measures. For categorical variables such as gender, pain score, and patient satisfaction, the Pearson chi- square test was used. Results: Twenty-four patients (24 lower extremities) were enrolled in the study and 12 randomized to each group. The two groups were not significantly different in age, gender, or pre-operative PROMIS Mental and Physical Summary Scores. The nerve block procedure was successfully performed in a single attempt in all cases. The VAS was not significantly different at 2 in the distal group and 3 in the proximal group. In each group 11 patients were totally satisfied with the block and 1 was moderately satisfied. The knee extension strength decreased in both the operative and non-operative lower extremity following administration of the nerve block. When normalized to the effect in the non-operative extremity, there was no significant difference in strength decrease between the two groups (p=0.89). Conclusion: This randomized, single-blinded trial compared proximal subsartorial saphenous nerve block with distal transsartorial saphenous nerve block outside of the adductor canal. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of the two techniques was observed in terms of VAS pain score or patient satisfaction and no difference in post-operative weakness. This is the first randomized trial on saphenous nerve blocks to normalize strength to the non-operative lower extremity, reducing the confounding effect of peri-operative narcotic and sedative medications. This study offers evidence for equivalence of the subsartorial and transsartorial saphenous nerve block techniques.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0046
Author(s):  
Andrew Stith ◽  
Matthew Griffin ◽  
Thomas Haytmanek ◽  
Christopher Hirose

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Poorly controlled post-operative pain is a common cause of patient dissatisfaction. With future emphasis on value-based medicine, optimization of cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction is critical. Popliteal and saphenous nerve blocks are routinely use in foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery and have become the gold standard for immediate post-operative analgesia. Traditionally a single long-acting local anesthetic agent is utilized which achieves analgesia for 6-24 hours. Recent evidence has shown that multimodal anesthesia with combined anesthetic agents remains effective for a longer duration compared to single-medication nerve blocks. The purpose of this study is to determine if patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery safely benefit from multi-modal compared with traditional single-medication nerve blocks. Methods: This was a two-armed, prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. The study population consisted of 70 patients from a single institution undergoing foot and ankle surgery by two fellowship-trained orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. 34 patients received a local anesthetic only popliteal and saphenous nerve block (Bupivacaine) and the other 36 patients received a triple additive nerve block (Dexamethasone, Clonidine, and Buprenorphine) in addition to Bupivacaine. Pre- and Post-operative assessments were performed to determine VAS pain scores, numbness, duration of anesthesia, patient satisfaction with analgesia, and oral pain medication use. Results: Triple additive (TA) nerve block mean duration to onset of pain was longer than for single agent (LA) nerve blocks (40.2 hrs vs 24.3 hrs respectively). Time to complete block resolution was also longer for the TA nerve blocks (82.3 hours) compared to LA blocks (38.7 hrs). 17/34 TA block patients had residual numbness at 1 week compared to 5/36 LA block patients. However, by 3 months there was no difference (8/34 TA and 7/36 LA). There was no significant difference in VAS scores or patient satisfaction rates at 1 week or 3 months. 7/34 TA block patients required narcotic refills compared to 6/36 LA block patients. There was no significant difference in complications between the groups. Conclusion: Triple agent nerve blocks give a longer duration of effective postoperative analgesia compared to single agent blocks. There was a higher rate of lingering numbness in the triple agent blocks at one week but not at 3 months. Patient satisfaction was very high for both groups regardless of their VAS pain scores. Triple agent nerve blocks demonstrate equivalent safety compared with single agent nerve blocks.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Jarrell ◽  
Elizabeth McDonald ◽  
Rachel Shakked ◽  
Kristen Nicholson ◽  
Vincent Kasper ◽  
...  

Background: The increasing scope and complexity of foot and ankle procedures performed in an outpatient setting require more intensive perioperative analgesia. Regional anesthesia (popliteal and saphenous nerve blocks) has been proven to provide satisfactory pain management, decreased postoperative opioid use, and earlier patient discharge. This can be further augmented with the placement of a continuous-flow catheter, typically inserted into the popliteal nerve region. This study investigated the use of a combined popliteal and saphenous continuous-flow catheter nerve block compared to a single popliteal catheter and single-injection saphenous nerve block in postoperative pain management after ambulatory foot and ankle surgery. Methods: A prospective study was conducted using 60 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery performed in an outpatient setting. Demographic data, degree of medial operative involvement, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical classification system, anesthesia time, and postanesthesia care unit time were recorded. Outcome measures included pain satisfaction, numeric pain scores (NPS) at rest and with activity, and opioid intake. Patients were also classified by degree of saphenous nerve involvement in the operative procedure, by the surgeon who was blinded to the anesthesia randomization. Results: Patients in the dual-catheter group took significantly less opioid medication on the day of surgery and postoperative day 1 (POD 1) compared to the single-catheter group ( P = .02). The dual-catheter group reported significantly greater satisfaction with pain at POD 1 and POD 3 and a significantly lower NPS at POD 1, 2, and 3. This trend was observed in all 3 subgroups of medial operative involvement. Conclusion: Patients in the single-catheter group reported more pain, less satisfaction with pain control, and increased opioid use on POD 1, suggesting dual-catheter use was superior to single-injection nerve blocks with regard to managing early postoperative pain in outpatient foot and ankle surgery. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215145932199663
Author(s):  
Mustafa Kaçmaz ◽  
Zeynep Yüksel Turhan

Introduction: Femoral Nerve Block (FNB) and Adductor Canal Block (ACB) methods, which are regional analgesic techniques, are successfully used in postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty. This study aimed to compare adductor canal block method that was preoperatively used and femoral nerve block method in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients who underwent spinal anesthesia in terms of factors effecting patient satisfaction and determine whether these methods were equally effective or not. Methods: A total of 80 patients between the ages of 60 and 75 who were in the American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) physical status of I-III were prospectively included in this randomized study. Patients (n = 40) who received FNB were called Group FNB and patients (n = 40) who received Adductor Canal Block were called Group ACB. Results: Although mean postoperative VAS values were lower in FNB group only in the first hour (p = 0.02) there was no significant difference between the groups in the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 12th and 24th hours (p≥0.05). Although Bromage scores were lower in FNB group in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth hours there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p≥0.05). When mobilization time, patient satisfaction level, time of first analgesia, intraoperative sedation need, and recovery time of sensorial block were compared no statistically significant difference was found (p≥0.05). Discussion: When ACB and FNB that are used for postoperative analgesia in patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty are compared in terms of factors affecting patient satisfaction it is observed that they result in the same level (non-inferiority) of patient satisfaction. Conclusion: We recommend the routine use of ACB method with FNB in total knee arthroplasty. More studies focusing especially on measuring patient satisfaction are needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0011
Author(s):  
Adam Weaver ◽  
Dylan Roman ◽  
Maua Mosha ◽  
Nicholas Giampetruzzi

Background: The standard of care in ACL reconstruction (ACLR) typically involves standardized strength testing at 6 months or later to assess a patient’s readiness to return to play (RTP) using isokinetic and isometric testing, and functional strength testing. Recent literature suggests that isokinetic knee extension strength should demonstrate 89% limb symmetry index (LSI) or greater prior to returning to sport. However, there is little known on the effects of strength testing early in the rehabilitation process and the relationship to strength test performance at time of RTP. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how early post-operative strength test performance impacts isokinetic strength outcomes at RTP testing in adolescents. Methods: The retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing primary ACLR between 12 and 18 years of age, early post-operative strength measures, and isokinetic dynamometer strength at RTP from July 2017 and April 2019. Data was dichotomized into desired outcomes at 3 months: >70% isometric knee extension LSI, > 20 repetitions on anterior stepdown test (AST), > 90% LSI Y Balance. At RTP testing, isokinetic knee extension strength data was categorized into >89% LSI at 3 speeds (300, 180, 60°/sec). Chi square testing and odds ratio statistics were used to examine association and its magnitude. Results: 63 patients met inclusion criteria (38 females; 15.37±1.66 years old). >70% LSI isometric knee extension strength at 3 months showed a significant association (Table 2) and demonstrated the strongest odds of having >89% LSI on isokinetic strength tests at all 3 speeds at RTP with 180°/sec being the highest (OR=14.5; 95% CI=4.25,49.43; p= <0.001). Performance on AST showed a significant association (χ2 (1, n=63) = 17.00, p <0.001), and highest odds at 180°/sec (OR=4.61; 95% CI = 1.59, 13.39, p=<0.001) and 60°/sec (OR= 3.07; 95% CI = 1.10, 8.63, p= 0.04). Combination of performance on isometric strength tests and AST showed a significant association to isokinetic strength at all three speeds, but less predictive then isometrics in isolation. (Table 2). There was no significant relationship between YBR LSI at 3 months and isokinetic strength at 6 months. Conclusion: Standardized strength testing early in rehabilitation can help identify patients that will successfully complete RTP testing. Our results suggest that isometric knee extension strength and timed anterior stepdown test provide meaningful clinical information early in the rehabilitation process. This data also suggests that the use of YBAL for predicting isokinetic strength performance is limited. [Table: see text][Table: see text]


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1689-1695
Author(s):  
Michelle E. Kew ◽  
Stephan G. Bodkin ◽  
David R. Diduch ◽  
Marvin K. Smith ◽  
Anthony Wiggins ◽  
...  

Background: Patients often have quadriceps or hamstring weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), despite postoperative physical therapy regimens; however, little evidence exists connecting nerve blocks and ACLR outcomes. Purpose: To compare muscle strength at return to play in patients who received a nerve block with ACLR and determine whether a specific block type affected subjective knee function. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients were recruited 5 to 7 months after primary, isolated ACLR and completed bilateral isokinetic strength tests of the knee extensor/flexor groups as a single-session return-to-sport test. Subjective outcomes were assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Strength was expressed as torque normalized to mass (N·m/kg) and limb symmetry index as involved/uninvolved torque. Chart review was used to determine the type of nerve block and graft used. Nerve block types were classified as knee extensor motor (femoral nerve), knee flexor motor (sciatic nerve), or isolated sensory (adductor canal block/saphenous nerve). A 1-way analysis of covariance controlling for graft type was used. Results: A total of 169 patients were included. Graft type distribution consisted of 102 (60.4%) ipsilateral bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) and 67 (39.6%) ipsilateral hamstring tendon. Nerve block type distribution consisted of 38 (22.5%) femoral, 25 (14.8%) saphenous, 45 (26.6%) femoral and sciatic, and 61 (36.1%) saphenous and sciatic. No significant difference was found in knee extensor strength ( P = .113) or symmetry ( P = .860) between patients with knee extensor motor blocks (1.57 ± 0.45 N·m/kg; 70.1% ± 15.3%) and those without (1.47 ± 0.47 N·m/kg; 69.6% ± 18.8%). A significant difference was found between patients with knee flexor motor blocks (0.83 ± 0.26 N·m/kg) and those without (0.92 ± 0.27 N·m/kg) for normalized knee flexor strength ( P = .21) but not knee flexor symmetry ( P = .592). Controlling for graft type, there were no differences in subjective knee function (IKDC score) between all nerve block groups ( P = .57). Conclusion: Our data showed that use of a sciatic nerve block with ACLR in patients with hamstring and BTB grafts influences persistent knee flexor strength deficits at time of return to sports. Although the cause of postoperative muscular weakness is multifactorial, this study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that perioperative nerve blocks affect muscle strength and functional rehabilitation after ACLR.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1189-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. C. Dearden ◽  
Robbie I. Ray ◽  
Peter W. Robinson ◽  
Caroline R. Varrall ◽  
Thomas J. Goff ◽  
...  

Background: It is common clinical practice to use either flat or reverse camber shoes to protect the foot for up to 6 weeks after surgery for hallux valgus or hallux rigidus. To date there is a paucity of evidence as to whether there is any difference between these 2 postoperative shoes, in either patient satisfaction or clinical outcomes. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing scarf/Akin osteotomies or first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis were recruited. Patients were randomized 50:50 to either flat or reverse camber postoperative shoes. Patients undergoing ancillary lesser toe procedures were not excluded. Patient satisfaction was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and Likert satisfaction survey. Radiographic outcomes were reviewed at 1 year observing differences in fusion rates or deformity recurrence. There were 47 patients in the reverse cam and 43 in the flat shoe group. No difference in primary forefoot operation, additional operation, age at surgery, or preop VAS pain score was seen. Results: At 6 weeks, there was no significant difference in postop VAS pain score. The flat shoe group was significantly more likely to be satisfied with their general mobility (86.0% vs 61.7%; P = .01) and with their stability in the shoe (90.7% vs 69.6%; P = .03). No significant difference was seen between groups for nonunion or hallux valgus recurrence rates. Conclusion: Both forms of postoperative footwear were effective in enabling patients to mobilize and in preventing adverse outcomes. Patients were more likely to be satisfied with a flat postoperative shoe due to improved stability and ease of mobilizing. The results of this study aid surgeon decision making for postoperative footwear in forefoot surgery. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective randomized controlled trial.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikola Rommersbach ◽  
Rainer Wirth ◽  
Gero Lueg ◽  
Christiane Klimek ◽  
Mirja Schnatmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We assessed the quantitative changes in muscle mass and strength during 2 weeks of hospitalization in immobile and mobile acutely ill hospitalized older adults. Methods Forty-one patients (82.4 ± 6.6 years, 73.0% females) participated in this prospective longitudinal observational study. Mobility status was defined according to walking ability as described in the Barthel-Index. Functional status, including handgrip strength and isometric knee-extension strength, and mid-thigh magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of cross-sectional area (CSA) were conducted on admission and at discharge. Results Twenty-two participants (54%) were immobile and 19 (46%) mobile. In all, 54.0 and 12.0% were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished, respectively. The median time between baseline and follow-up for MRI scans were 13 days in mobile and immobile participants (P = 0.072). Mid-thigh muscle and subcutaneous fat CSA significantly decreased by 3.9cm2 (5.0%, P = 0.002) and 5.3cm2 (5.7%, P = 0.036) during hospitalization whereas intermuscular fat remained unchanged in immobile subjects. No significant changes were observed in mobile patients. In a regression analysis, mobility was the major independent risk factor for changes in mid-thigh muscle CSA as a percentage of initial muscle area (P = 0.022) whereas other variables such as age (P = 0.584), BMI (P = 0.879), nutritional status (P = 0.835) and inflammation (P = 0.291) were not associated with muscle mass changes. There was a significant decrease in isometric knee extension strength (P = 0.002) and no change in handgrip strength (P = 0.167) in immobile patients whereas both parameters increased significantly over time in mobile patients (P = 0.048 and P = 0.012, respectively). Conclusions Two weeks of disease-related immobilization result in a significant loss of thigh muscle mass and muscle strength in older patients with impaired mobility. Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue in immobile older hospitalized patients whereas no changes were observed in intermuscular fat among these patients. These data highlight the importance of mobility support in maintaining muscle mass and function in older hospitalized patients.


2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA Graham ◽  
K Baird ◽  
AC McGuffie

Background Fractured neck of femur (NOF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Published clinical guidelines suggest early adequate analgesia as a key management aim. The femoral nerve ‘3-in-1 block’ has previously been shown to provide effective analgesia for these patients in the peri- and post-operative phase of care. The aim of this study was to examine the use of the ‘3-in-1’ femoral nerve block as primary analgesia for patients with a fractured NOF presenting to the emergency department. Methods This was a single centre pragmatic randomised controlled open-label trial comparing femoral nerve block (using a ‘3-in-1’ technique) with intravenous (IV) morphine. A convenience sample of patients presenting to the emergency department of a district general hospital with a clinically or radiologically suspected fractured NOF were recruited. They were randomised to receive either 0.1 mg/kg IV bolus of morphine or a ‘3-in-1’ femoral nerve block with 30 ml of 0.5% plain bupivacaine. Visual analogue pain scores were noted prior to treatment and at 30 minutes, 2 hours, 6 hours and 12 hours after treatment. Immediate complications such as vascular puncture or the requirement for naloxone were noted. Results Forty patients were recruited, 22 patients were randomised to IV morphine and 18 patients were randomised to ‘3-in-1’ femoral nerve block. Complete data were available for 33 patients. There was no significant difference in initial median pain score (p=0.45). Analysis using the Wilcoxon test showed a significant decrease in pain score for the morphine group (p=0.01) and the nerve block group (p<0.01) at 30 minutes compared with baseline. Analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test between median pain scores at each time point showed a significant lower pain score in the nerve block group at 30 minutes (p=0.046). There were no immediate complications in either group. Conclusion Our results suggest that a ‘3-in-1’ femoral nerve block is at least as effective as IV morphine when used as primary analgesia for patients with fractured NOF. Our results suggest that the femoral nerve block may provide better analgesia at 30 minutes. Further larger scale randomised trials are warranted.


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