Post-operative analgesia using intermittent vs. continuous adductor canal block technique: a randomized controlled trial

50 patients scheduled for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were randomized to postoperative analgesia with either an intermittent or continuous adductor canal block for 24 hours after surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if intermittent boluses of 15mL ropivacaine over 24 hours was more effective for reducing pain than continuous infusion of ropivacaine at 2.5mL/hr over 24 hours. Results demonstrated significantly lower resting pain from 4-12 hours and significantly lower pain during flexion from 4-24 hours in the intermittent ACB group compared to the continuous ACB group.