A Comparison of Single Shot Adductor Canal Block Versus Femoral Nerve Catheter for Total Knee Arthroplasty

The aim of this study was to compare perioperative analgesia provided by single-injection adductor canal block (ACB) to continuous femoral nerve catheter (FNC) when used in a multimodal pain protocol for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A retrospective cohort study compared outcome data for 148 patients receiving a single-injection ACB to 149 patients receiving an FNC. The mean length of stay (LOS) in the ACB group was 2.67 (± 0.56) and 3.01 days (± 0.57) in the FNC group (P < 0.0001). The median ambulatory distances for the adductor group were further than the femoral group for postoperative days 1 (P < 0.0001) and 2 (P = 0.01). Single-injection ACB offered similar pain control and earlier discharge compared to continuous FNC in patients undergoing TKA.