A Pilot Study Comparing Anterior Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Blocks to Adductor Canal Blocks in Pediatric Ambulatory Knee Surgeries

Brief Summary

Detailed Description

There is scant literature on the efficacy of peripheral nerve blocks or the comparative effectiveness of anesthesia and analgesia techniques in pediatric/adolescent patients undergoing orthopedic procedures, particularly ambulatory knee procedures such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. Given the innervation to the knee and concern with residual functional impairment, the goal of our pilot study is to collect preliminary information comparing the anterior femoral cutaneous nerve block (AFCNB) vs adductor canal block (ACB), in the hopes of using this data to power a larger randomized controlled trial to rigorously study this clinical question. This pilot clinical trial aims to find out what the differences are between anterior femoral cutaneous nerve block (AFCN) and adductor canal block (ACB) for pediatric patients who are having either anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) surgery. There will be 30 subjects in each group/type of surgery. The aims of this trial are: * To measure postoperative functional outcomes in patients who received AFCNB vs. ACB. * To calculate postoperative opioid requirements in pediatric knee surgeries that received AFCNB vs. ACB. * To calculate pain intensity levels at rest and with ambulation in patients who received AFCNB vs. ACB. * To quantify sensory deficits in patients who received AFCNB vs. ACB. * To assess patient-reported outcome measures (e.g., pain expectation scale, pain management satisfaction, PROMIS Pediatric Short Form v1.0 - Physical Activity, PROMIS Scale v1.2 - Global Health) in patients 8-18 years of age who received AFCNB vs. ACB. 30 Subjects undergoing ACL procedures will be compared between those who received the adductor canal block (15) to those who received the anterior femoral cutaneous nerve block (15). The researchers will also compare 30 individuals who underwent MPFL procedures and received an anterior femoral cutaneous nerve block (15) with those who received the adductor canal block (15). Eligible and enrolled participants will: * Be randomized to receive either the AFCNB or ACB in addition to standard of care analgesia. * Maintain a patient diary to document daily pain meds/pain scores * Complete follow up surveys/questionnaires via telephone and during their office visits with surgeons.

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

• Cumulative opioid consumption (MMEs)(48 hours after surgery)
• Total opioid consumption (MMEs)(at postoperative day 7 & 14)
• Opioid consumption(at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months)
• Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at rest(preop (baseline); every 30 minutes beginning from PACU transfer in time to discharge; at 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months postoperatively)
• Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) with ambulation(preop (baseline); in PACU; at 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months postoperatively)
• Postoperative pain location(s)(at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months)
• Pain expectation scale(at postoperative days 1, 2, 7, and 14)
• Satisfaction with pain management(at postoperative days 1, 2, 7, and 14)
• postoperative sensation(at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months)
• postoperative function - motor strength in quadriceps(at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months)
• postoperative function - range of motion (ROM)(at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months)
• postoperative function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function.(at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months)