Comparing Two Nerve Blocks in Children Undergoing ACL or MPFL Knee Surgery

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare two types of nerve blocks, the anterior femoral cutaneous nerve block AFCNB and the adductor canal block ACB, in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 undergoing knee surgeries such as anterior cruciate ligament ACL and medial patellofemoral ligament MPFL reconstruction. The purpose is to gather preliminary information on postoperative function, opioid use, pain levels, sensory effects, and patient-reported outcomes to help design a larger future study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either AFCNB or ACB along with standard pain relief care. Each nerve block uses a combination of bupivacaine a local anesthetic and dexamethasone a corticosteroid, with dosing specific to each block type. The study includes two groups those undergoing ACL surgery and those undergoing MPFL surgery, with 30 subjects total in each group split evenly between the two nerve block types. During the study, participants will keep a daily diary recording pain medication use and pain scores. Follow-up will include surveys and questionnaires administered by phone and during office visits with surgeons. Researchers will assess motor strength, opioid consumption, pain levels at rest and with movement, sensory changes, and patient satisfaction up to six months after surgery. This monitoring aims to understand the effects and recovery outcomes associated with each nerve block technique.

Anterior Femoral and Adductor Canal Nerve Blocks in Peds Knees