Nerve blocks to reduce pain and opioid use after knee surgery
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound Guided Knee Genicular Nerve Block and Anterior Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Block for Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty
This study tests if adding special nerve blocks to regular pain treatment can help people having knee surgery feel less pain and use fewer opioids after their operation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 244 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hospital for Special Surgery, New York Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT05980546 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of adding genicular and anterior femoral cutaneous nerve blocks to the standard pain management protocol for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The study aims to determine if these additional nerve blocks can reduce opioid consumption, lower pain scores in the post-anesthesia care unit, and facilitate earlier discharge. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the nerve blocks along with standard care or standard care alone. The trial will assess pain management outcomes and opioid use in the first 24 hours post-surgery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-80 undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty with a BMI under 35.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic pain syndromes, chronic opioid use, or contraindications to nerve blocks may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce opioid consumption and improve pain management for patients after knee surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using nerve blocks for pain management in orthopedic surgeries, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patients age 18-80 * patients undergoing ambulatory unilateral total knee arthroplasty, including 23 hour stay cohort * ASA I-III * BMI \< 35 Exclusion Criteria: * history of chronic pain syndromes * chronic opioid use (daily morphine milligram equivalents \> 30 mg for at least 3 months) * contraindication to peripheral nerve blocks * contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia * history of peripheral neuropathy or pre-existing neurological deficits * Psychiatrics or cognitive disorder that prohibit patient from following study protocol * allergy to local anesthetic or study medications * multiligament surgery * history of substance abuse * infection at the site of injection * chronic kidney disease * currently taking anticonvulsants
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- Hospital for Special Surgery — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jiabin Liu, MD/PhD — Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
- Study coordinator: Maya Tailor, BS
- Email: tailorm@hss.edu
- Phone: 646-714-6828
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.