COMPARISON OF ADDUCTOR CANAL BLOCK VERSUS FEMORAL NERVE BLOCK FOR ANALGESIA EFFICACY AND QUADRICEPS STRENGTH IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING KNEE SURGERY

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Adductor Canal Block (ACB) and Femoral Nerve Block (FNB) for analgesia and functional recovery in patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), focusing on opioid consumption, pain scores, nausea/vomiting, time to ambulation, and patient satisfaction.

Study Design and Setting: This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial conducted at Combined Military Hospital Kharian, a tertiary care facility.

Methodology: A total of 60 patients undergoing unilateral TKA were randomly assigned to receive either ACB (Group A) or FNB (Group B). Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for rest and knee flexion. Total nalbuphine consumption was recorded, and incidence of nausea/vomiting and time to ambulation were evaluated. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.

Results: Both groups showed comparable opioid consumption, pain scores, and patient satisfaction (p > 0.05). ACB patients ambulated 39 minutes earlier than FNB patients (280.4 ± 58 minutes vs 319.0 ± 65 minutes, p = 0.021). There were no significant differences in nausea/vomiting incidence between the groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Both ACB and FNB provide comparable analgesia after TKA, but ACB offers the advantage of faster ambulation, improving early recovery. ACB is a preferred technique for postoperative pain management and functional recovery after TKA, though further studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes