Adductor Canal Block

March 31, 2026 updated by: OrthoCarolina Research Institute, Inc.

Multimodal Periarticular Analgesic Injection With and Without Surgeon-Administered Adductor Canal Block During Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The investigators aim to investigate whether the addition of a surgeon-administered adductor canal blockade to a multimodal periarticular injection cocktail provides additional pain relief for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. This study will help identify the effectiveness of surgeon-administered adductor canal blockade in perioperative pain control for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Terminated

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Local anesthesia is an important component of multimodal pain management during the perioperative period for total knee arthroplasty, particularly with increased emphasis on early mobilization and decreased length of stay. Periarticular injections and regional nerve blocks are both effective in providing short-term pain relief when administered in isolation, and multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that when administered in conjunction with one another, they also provide a synergistic effect.

Periarticular injections are the simplest mechanism for infiltrating the surgical site with analgesic medications, and these provide effective pain relief. One described technique involves infiltrating this mixture into the lateral femoral periosteum, posterior capsule, medial periosteum, capsule and skin during various portions of a total knee arthroplasty. This is the technique used in our practice.

Regional nerve blocks also have beneficial effects on pain, early mobilization and length of stay. Traditionally, anesthesiologist-administered femoral nerve blocks were utilized for this purpose. The femoral nerve consists of 4 main branches:the terminal portion of the vastusmedialis branch innervates the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The terminal portion of the vastusintermedius branch innervates the anterosuperior aspect of the knee capsule. The terminal portion of the vastuslateralis branch does not innervate the knee capsule. The saphenous nerve is the terminal sensory branch of the femoral nerve and travels in the adductor canal. It gives off an infrapatellar branch which exits the adductor canal to innervate the skin on the anteromedial aspect of the knee and the anteroinferior aspect of the knee capsule. Blockade of the entire femoral nerve results in significant quadriceps motor deficits.

Adductor canal blocks can be targeted to anesthetize only the saphenous branch of the femoral nerve, however, and this spares the motor innervation to the quadriceps. Multiple randomized controlled trials have shown that these adductor canal blockades provide equivalent analgesic effects to femoral nerve blocks without associated deficits in quadriceps strength. In one study, quadriceps strength was measured immediately prior to and immediately following placement of femoral and adductor can blocks in patients undergoing TKA. After the femoral block, quadriceps strength decreased to 16% of the baseline pre-block value. After the adductor-canal-block, however, strength increased to 193% of the pre-block value. MRI measurements, cadaveric injections, and dissections have shown that a surgeon-performed injection of the saphenous nerve from within the knee after it exits from the adductor canal is a feasible procedure, and a randomized controlled trial found that a surgeon-administered adductor canal blockade was non-inferior to the traditional adductor canal blockade administered by an anesthesiologist. This technique is simple and can be easily performed during administration of a periarticular injection. It is unclear based on the current literature whether this surgeon-administered adductor canal blockade provides a synergistic effect on pain relief when combined with a periarticular injection.

Treatment Group:

The treatment group will consist of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty who receive standardized 100 cc periarticular injection into the lateral femoral periosteum, posterior capsule, medial periosteum, capsule and skin. Patients will then receive 10cc of ropivacaine into their adductor canal. This will be administered by injecting into the adductor canal without dissecting down to the saphenous nerve and without ultrasound guidance.

Comparison (Control) Group:

The control group will consist of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty who receive a standardized periarticular injection into the lateral femoral periosteum, posterior capsule, medial periosteum, capsule and skin. Patients randomized in this group will then receive 10cc of saline into their adductor canal. This will be administered by injecting into the adductor canal without dissecting down to the saphenous nerve and without ultrasound guidance.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
93

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28209
        • OrthoCarolina Research Institute, OrthoCarolina, P.A.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

30 years to 85 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients age 30-85undergoing first-time primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis and remaining hospitalized for at least one night

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Patients undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty
  2. Patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty
  3. Workers compensation patients
  4. Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty for post-traumatic arthritis
  5. Patients with inflammatory arthritis
  6. Patients with any previous surgery on the operative knee which involved an arthrotomy
  7. Patients taking opioids prior to total knee arthroplasty
  8. Patients with a known history of drug or alcohol abuse
  9. Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty at an ambulatory surgery center, or being discharged home from the hospital on the same day as their procedure (planned)
  10. Patients who have had a total knee arthroplasty performed on the contralateral knee

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Treatment Group (Ropivacaine)
The treatment group will consist of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty who receive standardized 100 cc periarticularinjection into the lateral femoral periosteum, posterior capsule, medial periosteum, capsule and skin. Patients will then receive 10cc of ropivacaineinto their adductor canal.This will be administered by injecting into the adductor canal without dissecting down to the saphenous nerve and without ultrasound guidance.
Drug: Ropivacaine injection
Ropivacaine is a local anesthetic that is FDA approved for local anesthetic nerve block.
Procedure: Total Knee Arthroplasty
All subjects participating in this study will undergo primary total knee arthroplasty
Placebo Comparator: Control Group (Saline)
The control group will consist of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty who receive a standardized periarticular injection into the lateral femoral periosteum, posterior capsule, medial periosteum, capsule and skin. Patients randomized in this group will then receive 10cc of saline into their adductor canal. This will be administered by injecting into the adductor canal without dissecting down to the saphenous nerve and without ultrasound guidance.
Procedure: Total Knee Arthroplasty
All subjects participating in this study will undergo primary total knee arthroplasty
Drug: Saline Injection
Saline will be used as a placebo injection

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Postoperative pain, as defined by patient-reported NPRS pain scores on a scale of 0-10 on Postoperative day 1
Time Frame: Approximately 24 hours following closure
Pain will be measured before discharge on postoperative day 1 on a scale of 0 (no pain) - 10 (worst pain)
Approximately 24 hours following closure

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Postoperative pain, as defined by patient-reported NPRS pain scores on a scale of 0-10 on Postoperative day 0, 1, 2, 4 and at 4-6 week postoperative visit
Time Frame: Every 6 hours for postoperative day 0-2, every 6 hours on postoperative day 4, and at 4-6 week visit

Postoperative pain, as defined by patient-reported NPRS pain scores on a scale of 0 (no pain) - 10 (worst pain) on:

  • Postoperative day 0: in PACU and Q 6 hours
  • Postoperative day 1: Q 6 hours
  • Postoperative day 2: Q 6 hours via pain diary
  • Postoperative day 4: Q 6 hours via pain diary
  • 4-6 weeks postoperatively in office visit.
Every 6 hours for postoperative day 0-2, every 6 hours on postoperative day 4, and at 4-6 week visit
Timed Up & Go test
Time Frame: 24 hours following surgical closure
Timed up & go test administered on postoperative day 1 by physical therapy
24 hours following surgical closure
Gait Assessment
Time Frame: 24 hours following surgical closure
Assessment using 2 Minute walk test, administered by physical therapy on postoperative day #1
24 hours following surgical closure
Range of Motion
Time Frame: 24 hours following surgical closure
Range of motion in knee flexion and extension on postoperative day 1 administered by physical therapy
24 hours following surgical closure
Range of Motion
Time Frame: 4-6 weeks
Range of motion in knee flexion and extension at 4-6 week visit administered by treating surgeon
4-6 weeks
Quadriceps Strength
Time Frame: 24 hours following surgical closure
Quadriceps Strength (motor blockade) as demonstrated by ability to have active extension and perform a straight leg raise at Physical Therapy on postoperative day # 0 and postoperative day #1 prior to discharge.
24 hours following surgical closure
Patient Satisfaction with Pain
Time Frame: 4-6 week visit
Patient-reported satisfaction with pain control on a 10-point Likert scale where 10 is the highest satisfaction
4-6 week visit
Pain Diary
Time Frame: 7 days following surgical closure
Patient-reported opioid consumption in morphine milliequivalents in first 7 days postoperatively as recorded in a pain diary
7 days following surgical closure

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
OrthoCarolina Research Institute, Inc.

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Towson Orthopaedic Associates

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Bryan D Springer, MD, OrthoCarolina Research Institute, Inc.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 9, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 23, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 11, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 11, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 14, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 31, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 9172 (CTEP)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

There is no plan to currently make individual participant data available to other researchers

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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