Preoperative ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to reduce pain and help recovery after ankle arthroscopy
Official title: Effects of Preoperative Ultrasound-Guided Popliteal Sciatic and Saphenous Nerve Blocks on Early Pain and Functional Recovery After Ankle Arthroscopy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial
Run by Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine · NCT07470021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This randomized, double-blind trial will test whether preoperative ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks reduce early pain and opioid use and how they affect ankle strength and walking after ankle arthroscopy.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hangzhou, Zhejiang) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 30, 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | March 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07470021 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–65 with ASA I–II status, BMI 16–32 kg/m², scheduled for ankle arthroscopy under general anesthesia and available for day-case or short-stay follow-up are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with chronic opioid use, significant peripheral neuropathy, prior extensive lower-leg surgery affecting nerve anatomy, severe organ dysfunction, pregnancy, or other contraindications to study drugs may not benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adult patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy are randomly assigned to receive either ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic plus saphenous nerve blocks or sham blocks before standardized general anesthesia, with patients and assessors blinded. The primary outcome is the highest numerical rating pain score within 24 hours after surgery, and secondary outcomes include opioid consumption, ankle motor strength, ability to ambulate, range of motion, patient satisfaction, length of stay, and analgesia-related costs. All participants receive standardized multimodal analgesia and intraoperative anesthesia to isolate the effect of the nerve blocks. The trial excludes patients with peripheral neuropathy, chronic opioid use, major comorbidities, or prior extensive ankle surgery that would affect nerve localization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower early postoperative pain and opioid requirements while informing whether transient ankle weakness limits early mobility.
How similar studies have gone: Similar peripheral nerve block techniques have reduced postoperative pain and opioid use in lower-limb surgery, though the balance between analgesia and transient motor weakness remains a documented concern and high-quality data specific to ankle arthroscopy are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Age between 18 and 65 years ASA physical status classification I-II Scheduled to undergo ankle arthroscopy under general anesthesia Expected to be available for follow-up on the day of surgery (day-case or short-stay surgery) Able to understand the procedures and methods of the clinical trial and voluntarily provide written informed consent Body mass index (BMI) between 16 and 32 kg/m² Exclusion Criteria: History of severe ankle nerve injury or peripheral neuropathy Severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal dysfunction Chronic pain or regular use of opioid analgesics for more than 3 months History of extensive ankle or lower leg surgery that may affect nerve localization Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment that preclude accurate NRS pain scoring Pregnancy or breastfeeding Known allergy or contraindication to any of the study drugs Any other condition deemed unsuitable for inclusion by the investigators
Where it's running
-
The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: zongyou Pan, Doctoral degree
- Email: panzongyou@gmail.com
- Phone: 86-19857004757
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.