title: Incidence of Delayed Recovery from Femoral Nerve Block in Total Knee Arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Femoral nerve block has been proven as an effective analgesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Delayed recovery from nerve block can result in serious complication during postoperative period. This prospective, single-center, observational study investigated the incidence in delayed recovery from femoral nerve block more than 24 hours postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and forty patients with femoral nerve block as part of anesthesia plan for elective unilateral TKA were recruited into study. Participants were assessed for sensory or motor impairment lasting longer than 24 hours post operation. Factors associated with delayed recovery from femoral nerve block were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients (incidence = 2.08%) reported sensory or motor impairment more than 24 hours post operation. All of the patients could ambulate within 4 days post operation without permanent nerve injury or serious complication. Higher dose of local anesthetic agent using for femoral nerve block showed association with the delayed recovery (p-value = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated 2.08% incidence in delayed recovery from femoral nerve block. High concentration and dose of local anesthetic agent may lead to fall during early ambulatory period.
authors: Thitima
authors: T
authors: Chinachoti
authors: Wattanan
authors: W
authors: Makarasara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors