The Effect of Adductor Canal Block on Hemodynamic Variables and Pain after Total Knee Arthroplasty under Spinal Anesthesia in Comparison with Control Group

Knee joint osteoarthritis is the most common articular disease among the elderly of more than 60 years. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adductor canal block on hemodynamic variables and pain after total knee arthroplasty to find a suitable solution for pain control in these patients.

In this clinical trial study, 68 patients under total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into two equal groups. In the first group, the patients received Marcaine (12.5-15 mg) for spinal anesthesia; then, anterior hip ultrasound of adductor canal block was done by injecting 15 ml Marcaine 0.5% along with 5 mg/ml epinephrine. This was repeated in the control group with the similar technique and normal saline was used instead of drug. Hemodynamic variables, postoperative pain, and patient and surgeon satisfaction were all studied in both groups.

Intensity of postoperative pain in the intervention group was lower than placebo group after 6 and 12 hours of surgery. The need to narcotics in the intervention group was significantly lower than placebo 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.050 for all).

Using adductor canal block is an effective short-term method to reduce the pain and need to narcotics after total knee arthroplasty.