Saphenous Nerve Block for Partial Meniscectomy

Surgeon Performed Saphenous Nerve Block at the Medial Femoral Condyle for Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy and Meniscus Repair: A Randomized Control Trial

Partial meniscectomy and meniscus repair are two of the most common orthopedic surgery procedures. As these procedures are being increasingly performed in ambulatory surgical centers, there has been a shift towards providing improved analgesia to ensure timely discharge, as well as preventing unwanted pain and side effects. As such, it has become common practice to use an intra-articular injection of local anesthetic to achieve post-operative pain control. However, these effects are short lived, requiring a multimodal approach to analgesia. To date, no optimal pain control strategy has been described for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or meniscus repair. The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of subcutaneous saphenous nerve block with 0.5% ropivacaine at the medial femoral epicondyle/adductor hiatus plus portal 0.5% ropivacaine injection vs portal 0.5% ropivacaine injection alone for patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or meniscus repair.

Participants scheduled for partial meniscectomy will preoperatively receive 0.5% ropivacaine with epinephrine

Participants scheduled for a partial meniscectomy will preoperatively receive a saphenous nerve block at the medial femoral condyle in addition to an injection of 0.5% ropivacaine with epinephrine

preoperatively the participant will receive an injection ar the surgical site of 5 milliliters (mL) of 0.5% ropivacaine

After surgery while in the recovery room a 40 question survey will be administered regarding your comfort level, emotional state and pain

This will be measured using the numeric rating score (NRS). It will be collected at 1 and 10 days after surgery

Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 18 Scheduled for arthroscopic meniscectomy or meniscus repair Exclusion Criteria: Multiple-ligament injury Primary ACL reconstruction or ACL revision reconstruction Articular cartilage restoration surgery Evidence of microfracture History of allergy to local anesthetics Pre-existing saphenous neuropathy Unable to be prescribed opioids due to allergy or other reason