Effects of adductor-canal-blockade on pain and ambulation after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized study

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

75 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients were randomised to receive a continuous adductor-canal-blockade (ACB) with intermittent boluses through a catheter with either ropivacaine (0.75%) or a placebo. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of the technique in reducing morphine consumption and postoperative pain. Following assessments over a 26 hour period, results indicated that ropivacaine administered via the ACB method significantly reduced morphine consumption, improved pain relief and enhanced ambulation activity. There were no significant differences between groups regarding nausea, vomiting, and sedation, but significantly more patients in the placebo group required ondansetron.