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Genicular Nerve Block After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Tibial Plateau

Genicular Nerve Block for Analgesia After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06639503
Enrollment
38
Registered
2024-10-15
Start date
2024-11-01
Completion date
2026-10-14
Last updated
2026-02-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Tibial Plateau Fractures

Keywords

peri-incisional local anesthesia, genicular nerve block, Tibial Plateau Fractures, open reduction internal fixation

Brief summary

The investigators are conducting this research study to find better ways of treating pain following knee surgery. There is a standard (accepted) approach, which involves injection of numbing medication into the area around the participant surgical incision. The investigators hope to discover if providing numbing medication to a nerve that controls pain in a larger area of the knee (a nerve block), might be better at post-operative pain control.

Detailed description

The investigators are conducting this research study to find better ways of treating pain following knee surgery like the one the participant will be having. There is a standard (accepted) approach, which involves injection of numbing medication into the area around the participant surgical incision. The investigators hope to discover if providing numbing medication to a nerve that controls pain in a larger area of the knee (a nerve block), might be better at post-operative pain control. This type of nerve block is commonly used to treat other knee pains, like that associated with arthritis, after knee replacements, and after repairs of the knee ligaments; however, it is considered experimental in your case, as its effects (good or bad) are unknown in the type of knee surgery the participant are undergoing. The investigators plan is to decide at random, like the flip of a coin, whether to give numbing medication (0.25% bupivacaine) around the incision like the investigators normally would or give it instead to block the pain sensors around the knee. The participant would get medication either at the incision (shin) or the knee, depending on which arm the participant are in (research). The participant will also be given pain medication pills by your surgeon as part of the participant normal postoperative care (not research).

Interventions

DRUGBupivacain

5mL 0.25% bupivacain

Sponsors

University of Chicago
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

The envelope will be opened in the operating room prior to beginning the procedure. This ensures subjects are blinded to their treatment modality.

Intervention model description

Subgroups will be determined using equal block randomization. Blocks will be set to groups of 4 with each block of 4 comprising 2 peri-incisional local anesthesia and 2 genicular nerve blockade opaque envelopes in random order.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

• Any adult patient (ages 18 and over) undergoing open reduction internal fixation of an acute isolated tibial plateau fracture

Exclusion criteria

* Subjects younger than 18 * Polytraumatized Subjects * Subjects with pathologic fractures * Subjects with tibial plateau fractures treated nonoperatively * Subjects with tibial plateau fractures treated operatively but with re-operations at the same site * Subjects with open fractures * Subjects with fracture-dislocations * Subjects with active or history of anxiety * Subjects with visual analog scale anxiety score ≥ 7 measured preoperatively * Subjects with chronic pain syndromes * Subjects with chronic opioid use * Subjects with illicit drug use disorder * Subjects with alcohol abuse disorder * Subjects with kidney disease precluding use of ketorolac * Subjects with liver disease precluding the use of acetaminophen * Subjects with allergy to acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opiates or local anesthesia * Subjects with inability to provide a visual analog scale score postoperatively * Subjects with contraindications to receiving peripheral nerve blocks, including relevant neurologic deficits, active infection at sites of injections - re-operation at the same site

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain Ratings from Visual Analog Scale (VAS)one hour, two hours, and discharge from PACUTo determine if genicular nerve blockade after open reduction internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures compared to standard care of peri-incisional local anesthetic leads to decreased pain as measured by visual analog scale at one hour postoperatively, two hours postoperatively, and at Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) discharge. The VAS consists of a 10cm line, with two end points representing 0 ('no pain') and 10 ('pain as bad as it could possibly be')

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Comparing blocksone hour after surgery, 2 hours after surgery, and discharge from PACUTo assess the effect of genicular nerve block compared to standard peri-incisional local anesthetic on analgesic consumption in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) using they Visual analog (VAS) scale. The VAS consists of a 10cm line, with two end points representing 0 ('no pain') and 10 ('pain as bad as it could possibly be')
Block effect on range of motionPACU dischargeTo assess the effect of genicular nerve block compared to standard peri-incisional local anesthetic on postoperative function as assessed by postoperative knee range of motion at time of Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) discharge.
VAS score daily first three days after surgerydaily for three days after surgeryTo determine the effect of genicular nerve block compared to standard peri-incisional local anesthetic on pain control for the first three days after surgery as measured by the visual analog scale. The VAS consists of a 10cm line, with two end points representing 0 ('no pain') and 10 ('pain as bad as it could possibly be')
Brief pain inventory (short scale) daily first three days after surgerydaily first three days after surgeryTo determine the effect of genicular nerve block compared to standard peri-incisional local anesthetic on pain control for the first three days after surgery as measured by the Brief pain inventory (short scale). the brief pain inventory (Short form) uses a 0 to 10 numeric rating scales for item rating. 1 - 4 = Mild Pain 5 - 6 = Moderate Pain 7 - 10 = Severe Pain
effect of genicular nerve blockade compared to standard peri-incisional local anesthetic2 weeks post surgeryTo determine the effect of genicular nerve blockade compared to standard peri-incisional local anesthetic on opiate use as determined by the number of prescription opiate pain pills remaining at 2 weeks post surgery.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTAnthony Christiano, MD
anthony.christiano@bsd.uchicago.edu773-834-3531
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAnthony Christiano, MD

University of Chicago

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026