Ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block analgesia after total knee arthroplasty: a multicenter randomized controlled study

46 patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive either an ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) analgesia, or patient control epidural analgesia (PCEA). The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of continuous femoral nerve block in terms of VAS pain scores, range of motion, level of sedation, further analgesics required, ability to sleep, muscle strength, side effects, time required to resume walking, and time in hospital, as compared to patient control epidural analgesia. Based on the results of this study, continuous femoral nerve block was the more favourable approach with less pain at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively, greater muscle strength, lower use of parecoxib, and less time required to resume walking.