2019 AAOS Annual Meeting: Pain Control after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Trial Determining Efficacy of Fascia Iliaca Compartment Blocks in the Immediate Postoperative Period

93 patient scheduled for total hip arthroplasty through a minimally invasive posterior approach were randomized to receive either a fascia iliaca compartment block or a placebo block. Patients were assessed primary for pain scores and narcotic consumption over the first 48 hours after surgery. Results demonstrated no significant difference between groups in pain scores for the first 32 hours after surgery, after which significant differences in favour of the FICB group were observed at 36, 44 and 48 hours. At no time point was narcotic consumption observed to have significantly differed between groups. During the postoperative period, a higher incidence of quadriceps weakness was observed in the group administered the FICB.