FRONT block for recovery after total hip replacement
Effect of Femoral Rami and Obturator Nerve Trunk (FRONT) Block on Postoperative Quality of Recovery After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
NA · Konya Meram State Hospital · NCT07458360
This trial will see if adding an ultrasound-guided FRONT block to standard pain care helps adults having elective total hip replacement recover better after surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Konya Meram State Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Konya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07458360 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing ultrasound-guided unilateral Femoral Rami and Obturator Nerve Trunk (FRONT) block plus standard multimodal analgesia versus standard multimodal analgesia alone in adults undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia. The FRONT block targets sensory innervation of the anterior hip capsule and is intended to provide pain relief while preserving motor function to support early mobilization. Patients are randomized at a single center and recovery is measured using validated patient-reported outcomes such as the QoR-15 questionnaire along with standard postoperative pain and opioid consumption metrics. Key eligibility includes age ≥18, ASA I-III, and ability to complete questionnaires, with exclusions for chronic opioid use, neurologic disorders of the lower limb, coagulopathy, infection at the injection site, or contraindications to regional anesthesia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18 years) scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia with ASA physical status I-III who can complete the QoR-15 and have no contraindications to regional anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to regional blocks, chronic daily opioid use, significant lower-extremity neurologic or neuromuscular disorders, or cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the FRONT block could provide better postoperative pain control and improved early recovery with less motor impairment and reduced opioid needs.
How similar studies have performed: Other regional nerve-block approaches for hip surgery have shown improved postoperative analgesia and recovery, but the FRONT block is a relatively new technique with limited direct outcome data to date.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Scheduled for total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III * Ability to understand and complete the QoR-15 questionnaire * Provided written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal to participate * Contraindication to spinal anesthesia or regional block * Allergy to study medications * Chronic opioid use (daily use for more than 3 months) * Neurological or neuromuscular disorders affecting the lower extremities * Infection at the injection site * Coagulation disorders * Cognitive impairment prevents questionnaire completion
Where this trial is running
Konya
- Betul Kozanhan — Konya, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Osteoarthritis of the Hip, Postoperative Pain, Quality of Recovery