• Norihiro Sakai, Takaya Inoue, Yasuo Kunugiza, Tetsuya Tomita, and Takashi Mashimo.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
• J Arthroplasty. 2013 May 1;28(5):807-14.

AbstractWe conducted the prospective randomized controlled trial to test that continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) improves attainment of 120° knee flexion compared to continuous epidural analgesia (CEA). Sixty-six patients scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomized into two groups; infusion of ropivacaine 0.15% into CEA or CFNB to third postoperative days. We studied the time required to attain 120° knee flexion, variations in thigh and calf circumferences around the treated knee, pain scores, rehabilitation milestones, the need for adjuvant analgesics, and side effects. CFNB patients attained earlier knee flexion to 120°, lower variations in thigh and calf circumferences, less pain during rehabilitation, and less need for adjuvant analgesics. CFNB is a better pain management strategy that accelerates knee flexion rehabilitation.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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