Background
Postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is known to range from moderate (30% of patients) to severe (60% of patients). Inadequate management for postoperative pain may induce various immobility-related complications, muscle weakness, and chronic pain. Therefore, post-TKA analgesia is crucial, not only for patients’ satisfaction, but for improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications. The present study aims to compare the effect of ultrasound-guided adductor canal block ACB (saphenous nerve block) versus incremental dose of intravenous morphine after total knee arthroplasty surgery.
Results
The results of this study revealed no difference between group A and group B as regards postoperative quadriceps muscle strength; maximal knee flexion, total distance ambulated, and postoperative vital data (heart rate per minute and respiratory rate per minute). However, group A showed better postoperative pain control, lower doses of intravenous morphine consumption and lower incidence of nausea and vomiting.
Conclusion
Continuous adductor canal block (saphenous nerve block) is superior to intravenous morphine in decreasing postoperative pain and decreasing total morphine consumption and adverse effects as nausea and vomiting, but both are equivalent in preserving quadriceps muscle power.