sACB vs cACB in TKA
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Continuous ACB, Single-shot ACB.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee. Basic parameters: 40 years — 80 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Comparison of Single-shot vs. Continuous Adductor Canal Block Analgesic Effects With Catheter Positioning Confirmation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Double-blinded Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
This study compares the analgesic efficacy of single-dose adductor canal block (sACB) versus continuous-dose adductor canal block (cACB) for postoperative pain management in total knee replacement patients. To ensure a high level of clinical accuracy, the investigation specifically focuses on a cACB cohort where ultrasound confirmation ensures the catheter remains correctly positioned for a full 48 hours. Participants are assigned to groups using a 1:1 randomization protocol via computer-generated tables to eliminate selection bias. Clinical consistency is maintained by using identical pharmacological agents across both groups: 0.5% Heavy Bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia and 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine for the nerve block itself. Furthermore, both groups adhere to a standardized multimodal analgesic schedule to control for external variables. In the cACB group, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) serves as a designated rescue therapy should the catheter fail. The primary technical evaluation occurs 48 hours post-surgery, utilizing ultrasound to verify catheter placement and quantify pain levels. Beyond immediate recovery, the study evaluates long-term success through Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) at a 12-week follow-up, focusing on functional restoration and the patient's overall quality of life. By isolating the variable of catheter stability, the research aims to provide a definitive comparison of whether the continuous delivery of local anesthetic offers a statistically significant clinical advantage over a single-dose administration in the context of modern orthopedic recovery protocols.
Interventions
- Procedure Continuous ACB
Adductor canal block, a lower extremity nerve block technique for postoperative pain control, is performed under ultrasound guidance for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, and is carried out by inserting a catheter. The catheter is connected to a PCA pump following insertion, with a continuous infusion rate for two days post-surgery. - Procedure Single-shot ACB
Adductor canal block, a lower extremity nerve block technique for postoperative pain control, is performed under ultrasound guidance for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, and is carried out by a single-shot local anesthetic administration.
Primary outcome measures
- postoperative pain score at rest (Area Under Curve, AUC) [Time frame: postoperative 48 hours]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age 40-80 yrs
- Scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplatsy
- ASA I-III
- BMI 18-35 kg/㎡
- Able to read and understand consent form
Exclusion criteria
- Allergy to local anesthetics
- Infection at the block site
- History of neuropathy or peripheral nerve disease
- Coagulation disorders or use of anticoagulants (if discontinuation is not possible)
- Communication disorders or cognitive impairment
- Chronic opioid use (≥30 MME/day, 3 months or more)
- Severe chronic pain (NRS ≥7/10, 3 months or more)
- Renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m²)
- Hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C)
- Blood coagulation disorders
- Pregnancy
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07581886 · 4-2026-0299