2018 AAOS Annual Meeting: Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block Increases Fall Risk and Does Not Improve Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement

80 patients scheduled for arthroscopic hip surgery due to femoroacetabular impingement were randomized to either a preoperative fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB), or sham control using saline. Patients were assessed for pain scores, opioid consumption, and the incidence of falls over the first 24 hours after surgery, as well as quadriceps strength deficit up to discharge. Reported results indicated similar pain scores and opioid consumption between groups over the first 24 hours after surgery. Deficit in maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the operative limb was significantly greater in the FICB group compared to the sham group, and the number of falls sustained in the first 24 hours after surgery was also significantly greater in the FICB group compared to the sham group.