Study to Evaluate ACB Versus FNB Early Postoperative Period Functional Outcomes After TKA

The purpose of this study is to determine if patients undergoing a Total Knee Arthroplasty who receive a single shot Adductor Canal nerve block and local infiltration will have improved functional outcomes compared to individuals who receive a femoral nerve block and local infiltration during the first 24 hours post surgery.

Title: Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Study to Evaluate a Single Shot Adductor Canal Nerve Block versus Femoral Nerve Block combined with LIA (Local Infiltration Analgesia): Early Postoperative Period Functional Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objectives:

Primary: To determine if patients undergoing a Total Knee Arthroplasty who receive an Adductor Canal block will result in increased quadriceps muscle strength (MVIC) compared to those who receive a Femoral Nerve block at 24 hours.

Secondary: The secondary objective is to determine whether Adductor Canal nerve block results in improved functional outcomes as evidenced by Time up and GO, Range of Motion and Six-Minute Walk Test at 24 hours, 48 hours and 6 months.

To assess post-operative pain as measured by the Visual Analog pain score (VAS) immediately prior to the start of, during, and after each in-patient physical therapy session.

Study Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized study

Description of Intervention: The devices to be used in this study are intended for nerve blocks and consist of 13-6 MHz linear ultrasound transducer (SonoSite HFL38x; Washington, US), a 22-gauge, 50-mm, short-bevel stimulating needle (Stimuplex; B Braun, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), B/Braun Stimuplex DIG RC, Bupivacaine HCl 100 mg injected in the Adductor Canal or around the Femoral nerve.

Femoral nerve block in combination with local infiltration analgesia is the standard of care in the investigators institution at present.

Bupivacaine HCl 100 mg in combination with Toradol 30 mg are used for local infiltration of the anterior lateral and lateral posterior side of the knee, done by the surgeon using a standard technique.

Subject Population:The study will include both male and female adults who will meet the inclusion criteria and none of exclusion criteria. For each patient time to conduct the blocks will vary between 5-10 minutes, local infiltration analgesia between 5-10 minutes, physical therapy tests between 30 minutes and one hour each encounter, VAS pain assessment between 2-5 minutes

Subject Participation Duration:The rate of patient accrual, and the prescribed follow-up time, the total duration of this study is expected to be approximately 18 months where enrollment is expected to occur over 12 months with a follow-up period of 6 months in the physical therapy office visits.

Number of Patients:The study will include 120 patients.

Number of Sites: The study will include one site.

Study Duration:The expected study duration is approximately 18 months.

Endpoints: Endpoints of this study will include quadriceps muscle strength, ROM of the knee, TUG, 6 minute walk test, knee pain score (VAS), activities of daily living, adverse events and will be studied from the baseline up to 6 month after TKR. VAS pain score will be assessed at each physical therapy encounter.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subject is 40-80 years of age and skeletally mature
* Subject BMI is \< 40
* Subject has been selected by the surgeon for TKA.
* Subject is taking less than 30 mg of Morphine per day.
* Subject is willing and able to sign a written consent form
* The subject has the mental capacity and the willingness to comply with the specified follow-up evaluations, and can be contacted by telephone by the site personnel.
* The subject is not pregnant, does not intend to become pregnant and has a significant other mirroring her intentions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subject is not neurologically intact (sensory, motor, and reflex deficit)
* Subject has pain in the limb scheduled for surgery that is out of proportion of expected pain usual for this pathology
* Subject scheduled for simultaneous bilateral knee replacement
* Subject has a history of any invasive malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancer), unless treated with curative intent and with no clinical signs or symptoms of the malignancy for 5 years
* Subject with prior reconstructive knee surgery on the operated limb
* Subject with primary bone tumor in the knee area
* Subject anticipates having a lower extremity surgery other than the investigational surgery during the course of the study
* Subject has a history of substance abuse
* Subject is currently involved in another study or have received investigational product or treatment within the last 30 days
* Subject is pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant during the study period
* Subject is accepting workers' compensation