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COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF DISTAL ADDUCTOR CANAL BLOCK COMBINED WITH GENICULAR NERVE BLOCK OR PERIARTICULAR INJECTION ON POSTOPERATIVE QOR-15 IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTIES

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF DISTAL ADDUCTOR CANAL BLOCK COMBINED WITH GENICULAR NERVE BLOCK OR PERIARTICULAR INJECTION ON POSTOPERATIVE QOR-15 IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTIES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07077720
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-07-22
Start date
2025-01-30
Completion date
2025-07-03
Last updated
2025-07-22

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

Conditions

Postoperative Pain, Recovery

Keywords

Total Knee Arthroplasty, Genicular nerve bloc, periarticular injection, QoR-15

Brief summary

Objective: This study compares the effects of genicular nerve block (GNB) and periarticular injection (PAI), added to distal adductor canal block (ACB), on postoperative recovery quality (QoR-15), morphine use, and pain scores after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: Sixty patients received spinal anesthesia and distal ACB, then were randomized to GNB (Group G, n=30) or PAI (Group P, n=30). QoR-15, morphine consumption, VAS pain scores, nausea/vomiting, and side effects were evaluated.

Detailed description

Objective: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical procedure for knee pathologies of various etiologies, where postoperative pain management is critical for early mobilization and rehabilitation. Different blockade techniques targeting the femoral, obturator, and sciatic nerves, which provide sensory innervation to the knee, are evaluated in terms of analgesic efficacy and preservation of motor function. The adductor canal block (ACB) targets the saphenous nerve without affecting motor function, whereas periarticular injection (PAI) and genicular nerve block (GNB) provide more comprehensive analgesia by blocking other branches of the femoral nerve as well as the obturator and sciatic nerves. This study aims to compare the effects of GNB and PAI, applied in addition to distal ACB, on postoperative recovery quality measured by the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score, morphine consumption, and pain scores in patients undergoing TKA. Materials and Methods: This single-center, randomized, prospective study included patients over 18 years of age with ASA physical status I-III who were scheduled for total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia. All patients received spinal anesthesia with 15 mg isobaric bupivacaine combined with 100 mcg intrathecal morphine. Additionally, all patients underwent ultrasound-guided distal adductor canal block. Patients were randomized into Group G (n=30) and Group P (n=30). Group G received preoperative genicular nerve block (5+5+5 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine), whereas Group P received intraoperative periarticular injection administered by the surgical team, consisting of 8 mg morphine, 40 mg methylprednisolone, 0.3 mg adrenaline, 750 mg cefazolin and 110 mg bupivacaine. The primary outcome measure was the quality of recovery evaluated by the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire at 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included morphine consumption at 2., 6., 12. and 24 hours postoperatively, resting and movement Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) scores, and the incidence of adverse effects such as respiratory depression, urinary retention, and pruritus.

Interventions

genicular nerve block with a total of 15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine preoperatively

periarticular injection prepared by the surgical team containing 8 mg morphine, 40 mg methylprednisolone, 0.3 mg adrenaline, 750 mg cefazolin, and 110 mg bupivacaine.

PROCEDUREAddukctor canal block

Addukctor canal block with 15ml %0.25 bupivacaine

PROCEDURESpinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine and Morphine

Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivacaine(isobaris 15-18mg) and Morphine(100mcg)

Sponsors

Bezmialem Vakif University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Patients scheduled for knee arthroplasty * Patients classified as ASA I, II, or III * Patients aged 18 years and older

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with a known allergy to any of the drugs used in the study * Presence of infection near the puncture site * History or presence of neurological disorders (e.g., transient ischemic attack, syncope, dementia, etc.) * Known coagulation disorders * History of alcohol or substance abuse * Impaired consciousness * Chronic opioid use equal to or exceeding 60 mg of oral morphine equivalents per day * Pre-existing neuropathic pain * Hepatic failure, renal failure, or cardiac insufficiency * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative 24th hour qor-15Postoperative 24th hourPostoperative 24th hour qor-15 score

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour morphine consumptionPostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hourPostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour morphine consumption
Postoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour resting VAS scorePostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hourPostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour resting VAS score
Postoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour movement VAS scorePostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hourPostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour movement VAS score
Postoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour adverse effectsPostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hourPostoperative 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hour adverse effects

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026