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Total Knee Arthroplasty Utilizing Adductor Canal Block: Effect on Quadriceps Sparing

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Osteoarthritis (Knee)
Interventions
Procedure: High Volume Adductor Canal Block
Procedure: Low Volume Adductor Canal Block
Procedure: Femoral Nerve Block
Registration Number
NCT02081911
Lead Sponsor
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is quantitative motor-sparing of the quadriceps muscles following adductor canal nerve block versus femoral nerve block. Patients will be randomly placed into one of three treatment groups: 1) Femoral nerve block, 2) Adductor canal nerve block - low volume, or 3) Adductor canal nerve block - high volume. Quadriceps function will be assessed in the operating room using a skin patch and electrical stimulation. Follow up visits with the patients will continue over the course of 2 days during patient's stay at the hospital. A total of 60 patients will be enrolled for the study.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
33
Inclusion Criteria
  • All patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty
  • Planned use of combined spinal epidural (CSE) anesthesia
  • Ability to follow study protocol
Exclusion Criteria
  • Contraindication to a spinal or epidural anesthetic
  • Chronic opioid use (defined as daily or almost daily use of opioids for >3 months)
  • Allergy to local anesthetics
  • Pre-existing neuropathy or weakness of the operative limb
  • Any neuromuscular disorder
  • Diabetes type I and II
  • Contraindication to a femoral nerve block or adductor canal nerve block
  • Allergy or intolerance to any of the study medications
  • BMI > 35 kg/m2

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
High volume Adductor canal blockHigh Volume Adductor Canal BlockAdductor canal block performed in the distal thigh (1/3 of the total distance between the superior border of the patella and the femoral crease, cephalad to the patella) utilizing an injectate volume of 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine/ epinephrine
Low volume Adductor Canal BlockLow Volume Adductor Canal BlockAdductor canal block performed in the distal thigh (1/3 of the total distance between the superior border of the patella and the femoral crease, cephalad to the patella) utilizing an injectate volume of of 10 mL 0.75% bupivacaine/ epinephrine
Femoral nerve blockFemoral Nerve BlockFemoral nerve block with 10 mL 0.75 % bupivacaine/epinephrine
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quadriceps function as assessed by non-invasive transcutaneous nerve stimulation of the femoral nerve15 minutes after the placement of the peripheral nerve block (femoral or adductor canal)

After CSE effect, but prior to peripheral block, quadriceps function will be assessed by non-invasive transcutaneous nerve stimulation of the femoral nerve by placing an ECG electrode over the femoral location (determined by U/S) in the inguinal groove. The threshold amperage that produces patellar motion in response to electrical stimulation will be recorded. This threshold amperage will serve as a baseline value. Following the peripheral nerve block, transcutaneous stimulation will be repeated and, if still possible to elicit quadriceps contractions in response to electrical stimulation, the resulting new threshold amperage will be measured. The new threshold amperage will be expressed as a percentage of the baseline value and serve as a quantitative functional indication of the extent of quadriceps paresis resulting from the peripheral nerve block. The primary outcome will be quadriceps paralysis - yes/no.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Threshold amperage as a percentage of the baseline value15 minutes after the placement of the peripheral nerve block

Following the peripheral nerve block, transcutaneous stimulation will be repeated and, if still possible to elicit quadriceps contractions in response to electrical stimulation, the resulting new threshold amperage will be measured. The new threshold amperage will be expressed as a percentage of the baseline value and serve as a quantitative functional indication of the extent of quadriceps paresis resulting from the peripheral nerve block.

Analgesic adequacyResolution of the spinal anesthetic (2 hours post-op), 24 and 48 hours post-op

Analgesic adequacy as determined by pain scores (0-10) at spinal resolution (on average 2 hours post-op), 24 hours post-op and 48 hours post-op and daily epidural patient controlled analgesia consumption

Ability to complete a straight leg liftHolding area (baseline), at spinal resolution (2 hours post-op), 24 hours post-op and 48 hours post-op

Ability to complete and hold (for 3 seconds) a straight leg lift (from supine position) against gravity as evidence of meaningful quadriceps function - performed in holding area (baseline), at spinal resolution (on average 2 hours post-op), 24 hours post-op and 48 hours post-op

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital for Special Surgery

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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