title: Continuous femoral versus epidural block for attainment of 120° knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: We conducted the prospective randomized controlled trial to test that continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) improves attainment of 120° knee flexion compared to continuous epidural analgesia (CEA). Sixty-six patients scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomized into two groups; infusion of ropivacaine 0.15% into CEA or CFNB to third postoperative days. We studied the time required to attain 120° knee flexion, variations in thigh and calf circumferences around the treated knee, pain scores, rehabilitation milestones, the need for adjuvant analgesics, and side effects. CFNB patients attained earlier knee flexion to 120°, lower variations in thigh and calf circumferences, less pain during rehabilitation, and less need for adjuvant analgesics. CFNB is a better pain management strategy that accelerates knee flexion rehabilitation.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors: Norihiro
authors: N
authors: Sakai
authors: Takaya
authors: T
authors: Inoue
authors: Yasuo
authors: Y
authors: Kunugiza
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Tomita
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Mashimo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000577:Amides; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000077212:Ropivacaine