Study Summary

Forty-seven patients aged 60 or older with a femoral neck, intertrochanteric or sub-trochanteric fracture were randomized to receive a pre-operative fascia iliaca compartment blockade (FICB) or no FICB for the treatment of post-operative pain and the facilitation of functional recovery. The primary outcomes of interest were acetaminophen, tramadol and morphine consumption, offered in that order as the severity of pain increased. Secondary outcomes of interest include distance ambulated and patient satisfaction. Follow up was performed in during post-operative days 1 to 3. Results revealed significantly greater patient satisfaction in the FICB group compared to the control group. Whilst the average consumption for all three medications was lower in the FICB group compared to the control group, these differences were not significantly different. Ambulated distance was not significantly different between the two groups.