The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 25, Issue 8 , Pages 1246-1249, December 2010

Femoral Nerve Block vs Fascia Iliaca Block for Total Knee Arthroplasty Postoperative Pain Control:

A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Brisbane Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Centre Writing Committee

Received 28 January 2009; accepted 22 November 2009. published online 24 February 2010.

Abstract 

Femoral nerve block (FNB) is an accepted mode of analgesia for lower limb procedures but has a documented complication rate. This study compared femoral nerve and fascia iliaca regional anesthesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), using fentanyl consumption as the primary outcome measure. Ninety-eight primary unilateral TKA patients were blinded and randomized into fascia iliaca block (FIB) (n = 51) or FNB (n = 47) groups. No significant differences were found in analgesia use (fentanyl and tramadol) at 12 and 36 hours in pain, nausea and range of motion between the groups. There was one case of paresthesia in the femoral nerve in the FNB group. Fascia iliaca block is as effective as FNB as part of a multimodal anesthetic regimen for TKA.

Keywords: TKA, anesthesia, fascia iliaca nerve, femoral nerve, nerve block

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 No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(09)00554-3

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2009.11.018

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 25, Issue 8 , Pages 1246-1249, December 2010