PainNCT03033589
Femoral Nerve Block Versus Adductor Canal Nerve Block for Peri-Operative Analgesia Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction: Evaluation of Post-operative Pain and Strength
A study testing Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable Solution in people with Pain, run by Henry Ford Health System at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
All patients over the age of 16 undergoing primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the use of bone-patellar-bone autograft are eligible for the study. Patients will be randomized pre-operatively to receive either an adductor canal nerve block (single injection) or a femoral nerve block… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pain
- What is being tested?
- Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable Solution
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- May 2016to 31 Dec 2017
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Primary ACL Reconstruction with use of Bone-Patellar-Bone Autograft
- Age 16 or older
Who cannot join
- Patients under 16
- The use of Allograft,
- The use of hamstring autograft
- The use quadriceps autograft
- Patients allergic to active ingredients in the injection.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Henry Ford Health System - CFP 642
Detroit, Michigan, 48202
About this study
Official title: Femoral Nerve Block Versus. Adductor Canal Nerve Block for Peri-Operative Analgesia Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Evaluation of Post-Operative Pain and Strength
All patients over the age of 16 undergoing primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the use of bone-patellar-bone autograft are eligible for the study. Patients will be randomized pre-operatively to receive either an adductor canal nerve block (single injection) or a femoral nerve block (single injection). Post-operatively, the primary outcome measures of pain level using visual analog scale as well as narcotic and non-narcotic analgesic requirements will be measured.
Read the detailed description
Currently, because of its good track record, femoral nerve block is the modality of choice for post-operative pain control following elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at our institution. It has been proven in the literature to provide good post-operative pain analgesia following this procedure (1). However, femoral nerve block is not without its concerns, including the concern for long-term quadriceps weakness (2). Benefits of decreased use of Femoral Nerve Block include the decreased incidence of side effects and/or complications, and use of quadriceps for immediate rehabilitation. Benefits of Adductor canal nerve block include possible equivalent pain control with the avoidance of motor de-innervation and its deleterious adverse effect of quadriceps weakness postoperatively. Adductor canal nerve block has proven to be effective in other orthopaedic procedures involving the knee including total knee arthroplasty (3). This results of this study will give more information on how to better control pain in the post-op period while minimizing the deleterious side effects for patients undergoing ACLreconstruction.
All patients over the age of 16 undergoing primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the use of bone-patellar-bone autograft are eligible for the study. Patients will be randomized pre-operatively to receive either an adductor canal nerve block (single injection) or a femoral nerve block (single injection). A single dose of 30 mL of 0.25% marcaine is injected for femoral nerve block and 20 mL of 0.25% marcaine for Adductor Canal nerve block. These procedures will be performed by the attending anesthesiologist prior to surgery. After surgery the patient will record their pain levels using visual analog scale (VAS) score in a daily diary for the first 5 post-operative days. They will also record all medication requirements, both narcotic and non-narcotic analgesic medications. The patient will be tested on their ability to perform a straight leg raise in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at their first post-operative visit.
- Conditions
- Pain
- Being tested
- Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable Solution
- Keywords
- Pain control, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL_ Reconstruction), Regional Anesthesia
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable SolutionDrug
For the adductor canal block, 20 mL of 0.25% marcaine will be injected with the use of ultrasound guidance into the adductor canal by the attending anesthesiologist on the case in the pre-op holding area.
Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable SolutionDrug
For the femoral nerve block, 30 mL of 0.25% marcaine will be injected with the use of ultrasound guidance around the femoral nerve sheath by the attending anesthesiologist on the case in the pre-op holding area.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Adductor Canal Nerve Block | Active comparator | One hour prior to procedure, subject to receive 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine injected into the sheath of the saphenous nerve at the adductor hiatus. Ultrasound guidance utilized for appropriate localization of the targeted nerve sheath for local infiltration. No nerve stimulators to be utilized during or after the procedure. Receives: Drug: Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable Solution |
| Femoral Nerve block | Active comparator | One hour prior to procedure, subject to receive 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine injected into the nerve sheath of the femoral nerve at the level of the femoral triangle. Ultrasound guidance utilized for appropriate localization of the targeted nerve sheath for local infiltration. No nerve stimulators to be utilized during or after the procedure. Receives: Drug: Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable Solution |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Average Pain Level Per Arm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Post-operative (Day 0), Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
The VAS is a validated self-reported instrument for measuring pain intensity. Possible scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worse possible pain).
Measured: Post-operative Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
Average Narcotic Consumption Per Arm in Morphine Equivalents at Post-operative (Day 0), Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
Norco 5-325 (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) oral tablet prescribed (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain) converted to intravenous morphine equivalent dosing.
Measured: Post-operative Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jan 2017 (estimated)
- Study startMay 2016
- Primary completion31 Jul 2017
- Study completion31 Dec 2017
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Henry Ford Health System
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03033589
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 10083
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Aug 2016
- Last updated
- 23 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Publications
Guirro UB, Tambara EM, Munhoz FR. Femoral nerve block: Assessment of postoperative analgesia in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2013 Nov-Dec;63(6):483-91. doi: 10.1016/j.bjane.2013.09.001. Epub 2013 Dec 5.
PubMed 24565346Luo TD, Ashraf A, Dahm DL, Stuart MJ, McIntosh AL. Femoral nerve block is associated with persistent strength deficits at 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in pediatric and adolescent patients. Am J Sports Med. 2015 Feb;43(2):331-6. doi: 10.1177/0363546514559823. Epub 2014 Dec 2.
PubMed 25466410Kim DH, Lin Y, Goytizolo EA, Kahn RL, Maalouf DB, Manohar A, Patt ML, Goon AK, Lee YY, Ma Y, Yadeau JT. Adductor canal block versus femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Anesthesiology. 2014 Mar;120(3):540-50. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000119.
PubMed 24401769Lynch JR, Okoroha KR, Lizzio V, Yu CC, Jildeh TR, Moutzouros V. Adductor Canal Block Versus Femoral Nerve Block for Pain Control After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Randomized Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2019 Feb;47(2):355-363. doi: 10.1177/0363546518815874. Epub 2018 Dec 17.
PubMed 30557034
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Femoral Nerve Block Versus. Adductor Canal Nerve Block for Peri-Operative Analgesia Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Evaluation of Post-Operative Pain and Strength
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03033589
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 10083
- Conditions
- Pain
- Keywords
- Pain control, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL_ Reconstruction), Regional Anesthesia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Henry Ford Health SystemUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- May 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2017 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jan 2017 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 23 Jun 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
All patients over the age of 16 undergoing primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the use of bone-patellar-bone autograft are eligible for the study. Patients will be randomized pre-operatively to receive either an adductor canal nerve block (single injection) or a femoral nerve block (single injection). Post-operatively, the primary outcome measures of pain level using visual analog scale as well as narcotic and non-narcotic analgesic requirements will be measured.
Detailed description
Currently, because of its good track record, femoral nerve block is the modality of choice for post-operative pain control following elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at our institution. It has been proven in the literature to provide good post-operative pain analgesia following this procedure (1). However, femoral nerve block is not without its concerns, including the concern for long-term quadriceps weakness (2). Benefits of decreased use of Femoral Nerve Block include the decreased incidence of side effects and/or complications, and use of quadriceps for immediate rehabilitation. Benefits of Adductor canal nerve block include possible equivalent pain control with the avoidance of motor de-innervation and its deleterious adverse effect of quadriceps weakness postoperatively. Adductor canal nerve block has proven to be effective in other orthopaedic procedures involving the knee including total knee arthroplasty (3). This results of this study will give more information on how to better control pain in the post-op period while minimizing the deleterious side effects for patients undergoing ACLreconstruction.
All patients over the age of 16 undergoing primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the use of bone-patellar-bone autograft are eligible for the study. Patients will be randomized pre-operatively to receive either an adductor canal nerve block (single injection) or a femoral nerve block (single injection). A single dose of 30 mL of 0.25% marcaine is injected for femoral nerve block and 20 mL of 0.25% marcaine for Adductor Canal nerve block. These procedures will be performed by the attending anesthesiologist prior to surgery. After surgery the patient will record their pain levels using visual analog scale (VAS) score in a daily diary for the first 5 post-operative days. They will also record all medication requirements, both narcotic and non-narcotic analgesic medications. The patient will be tested on their ability to perform a straight leg raise in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at their first post-operative visit.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Adductor Canal Nerve Block | Active comparator | Drug: Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable SolutionOne hour prior to procedure, subject to receive 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine injected into the sheath of the saphenous nerve at the adductor hiatus. Ultrasound guidance utilized for appropriate localization of the targeted nerve sheath for local infiltration. No nerve stimulators to be utilized during or after the procedure. |
| Femoral Nerve block | Active comparator | Drug: Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable SolutionOne hour prior to procedure, subject to receive 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine injected into the nerve sheath of the femoral nerve at the level of the femoral triangle. Ultrasound guidance utilized for appropriate localization of the targeted nerve sheath for local infiltration. No nerve stimulators to be utilized during or after the procedure. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Primary ACL Reconstruction with use of Bone-Patellar-Bone Autograft
- Age 16 or older
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patients under 16
- The use of Allograft,
- The use of hamstring autograft
- The use quadriceps autograft
- Patients allergic to active ingredients in the injection.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable SolutionFor the adductor canal block, 20 mL of 0.25% marcaine will be injected with the use of ultrasound guidance into the adductor canal by the attending anesthesiologist on the case in the pre-op holding area. | Drug | Adductor Canal Nerve Block |
| Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable SolutionFor the femoral nerve block, 30 mL of 0.25% marcaine will be injected with the use of ultrasound guidance around the femoral nerve sheath by the attending anesthesiologist on the case in the pre-op holding area. | Drug | Femoral Nerve block |
Primary outcome
Average Pain Level Per Arm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Post-operative (Day 0), Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
Time frame: Post-operative Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
The VAS is a validated self-reported instrument for measuring pain intensity. Possible scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worse possible pain).
Average Narcotic Consumption Per Arm in Morphine Equivalents at Post-operative (Day 0), Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
Time frame: Post-operative Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
Norco 5-325 (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) oral tablet prescribed (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain) converted to intravenous morphine equivalent dosing.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jun 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 24565346Guirro UB, Tambara EM, Munhoz FR. Femoral nerve block: Assessment of postoperative analgesia in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2013 Nov-Dec;63(6):483-91. doi: 10.1016/j.bjane.2013.09.001. Epub 2013 Dec 5.
- Background: PubMed 25466410Luo TD, Ashraf A, Dahm DL, Stuart MJ, McIntosh AL. Femoral nerve block is associated with persistent strength deficits at 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in pediatric and adolescent patients. Am J Sports Med. 2015 Feb;43(2):331-6. doi: 10.1177/0363546514559823. Epub 2014 Dec 2.
- Background: PubMed 24401769Kim DH, Lin Y, Goytizolo EA, Kahn RL, Maalouf DB, Manohar A, Patt ML, Goon AK, Lee YY, Ma Y, Yadeau JT. Adductor canal block versus femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Anesthesiology. 2014 Mar;120(3):540-50. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000119.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30557034Lynch JR, Okoroha KR, Lizzio V, Yu CC, Jildeh TR, Moutzouros V. Adductor Canal Block Versus Femoral Nerve Block for Pain Control After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Randomized Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2019 Feb;47(2):355-363. doi: 10.1177/0363546518815874. Epub 2018 Dec 17.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Marcaine 0.25 % Injectable Solution in people with Pain, run by Henry Ford Health System at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 23 Jun 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Average Pain Level Per Arm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Post-operative (Day 0), Day 1, Day 2, Day 3. (time frame: Post-operative Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03033589, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jun 2026.