Study Summary

83 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to receive a preoperative adductor canal block or postoperative adductor canal block. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative pain measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 2 and 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), postoperative nausea, vomiting, and hospital length of stay. Outcomes were assessed at 2 and 24 hours postoperatively and during hospitalization. Overall, the results of the study revealed no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative adductor canal block placement for pain, opioid use, nausea, vomiting, or discharge outcomes. These findings suggest that the timing of adductor canal block administration may be interchangeable, allowing greater perioperative flexibility without compromising postoperative recovery outcomes.