Study Summary

Ninety patients undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were randomized to receive either a 20 ml mixture of 0.25% bupivacaine plus 8 mg dexamethasone (n=45) or 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with saline (n=45) via ultrasound-guided adductor canal block. The primary outcome was the dynamic visual analog score (DVAS) at 1 month. Secondary outcomes included postoperative VAS scores at 24 hours, DVAS at 2 and 3 months, time to first analgesic request, and opioid consumption up to 3 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the dexamethasone group had significantly longer analgesia duration, lower opioid use, and reduced pain severity up to 3 months. These findings suggest that perineural dexamethasone is effective in reducing persistent pain and opioid reliance after ACL reconstruction.