Continuous femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty: immediate and two-year outcomes

J Arthroplasty. 2009 Feb;24(2):204-9. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2007.09.014. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Abstract

We conducted a prospective study to investigate the immediate and 2-year outcomes of total knee arthroplasty patients who received continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) for analgesia. Sixty patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomized into 3 groups and received high-dose continuous FNB, low-dose continuous FNB, or no FNB. In the immediate postoperative period, we studied their pain scores, cumulative morphine use, any FNB-related complications, time of first ambulation, and patient satisfaction. At 2 years, we assessed their functional outcomes with Oxford knee questionnaire and Knee Society clinical rating system. Immediately after surgery, there was less pain, higher satisfaction, and lower morphine use among patients on continuous FNB regardless of ropivacaine dosage used. At 2 years, there were no significant differences in functional outcomes.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amides*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Anesthetics, Local*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / methods*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Femoral Nerve*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morphine / therapeutic use
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology
  • Pain, Postoperative / therapy
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ropivacaine
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Amides
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Morphine
  • Ropivacaine