[Effect of adductor canal block combined with local infiltration anesthesia on rehabilitation of primary total knee arthroplasty].

Objective: To investigate the effect of adductor canal block combined with local infiltration anesthesia on the rehabilitation of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: A total of 104 patients who met the selection criteria for the first unilateral TKA between March 2017 and August 2017 were included in the study. They were randomly divided into trial group (53 cases) and control group (51 cases). In the trial group, the adductor canal block with intraoperative local infiltration anesthesia were performed. In the control group, only intraoperative local infil-tration anesthesia was performed. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, diagnosis, effected side, and the preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading between 2 groups ( P >0.05). The operation time, length of stay, and complications were compared between 2 groups, as well as visual analogue scale (VAS) score of incision at rest and during activity, the range of motion (ROM) of knee flexion and extension activity, limb swelling (thigh circumference), walking distance, and pain VAS score while walking.

Results: The operation time of the trial group was significantly shorter than that of the control group ( t =-2.861, P =0.005). However, there was no significant difference in length of stay between 2 groups ( t =-0.975, P =0.332). The wound effusion occurred in 1 patient of trial group and 2 of control group; hematoma occurred in 2 patients of trial group and 3 of control group; no symptom of intermuscular venous thrombosis occurred in 1 patient in each of 2 groups; ecchymosis occurred in 14 patients of trial group and 15 of control group; there was no significant difference in the incidence of related complications between 2 groups ( P >0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperative VAS score at rest and during activity, ROM of knee flexion and extension activity, and thigh circumference between 2 groups ( P >0.05). However, there were significant differences in the VAS score at rest and during activity after 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours, ROM of knee flexion and extension activity after 1 and 2 days, and the walking distance on the day of discharge, pain VAS scores while walking after 1 and 2 days and on the day of discharge, and thigh circumference after 1 day between 2 groups ( P <0.05).

Conclusion: For the primary TKA, the adductor canal block combined with local infiltration anesthesia can early relieve the initial pain of the incision, shorten the operation time, and promote the mobility and functional recovery of the knee joint.