Welcome to our information page on Adductor Canal Nerve Blocks!
An adductor canal nerve block is a specific type of regional anesthesia performed for procedures on the lower extremities, most commonly for total knee replacement surgery. An anesthesiologist will perform this procedure, and most patients can receive a prolonged nerve block if a catheter is placed for up to 3-4 days for continued pain relief after the surgery.
What is a nerve block? |
A nerve block is a procedure performed to inject local anesthesia medications, or numbing medications, around your nerve to decrease pain experienced after surgery.
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Does a nerve block hurt? |
With a nerve block, a small needle must be used under ultrasound guidance to make sure the medication is delivered specifically to the indicated nerve and precisely around the nerve. Your anesthesiologist will make sure you are comfortable for your nerve block, providing sedation for the procedure and numbing your skin prior to inserting the nerve block needle. Your anesthesiologist may even opt to perform the procedure after you are asleep if indicated.
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What is an adductor canal nerve block, and what are the risks? |
The adductor canal nerve block is performed to inject local anesthetic medication, or numbing medication, around the femoral nerve. The injection is performed in the area of the upper thigh. With this nerve block sensation to the anterior or front part of the knee and leg is reduced, resulting in less pain after procedures such as total knee replacements. The benefits of performing this procedure are more than just better pain control, and include reducing the amount of narcotic medications after surgery and avoiding their adverse side effects (nausea, drowsiness, constipation), better performance with physical therapy, and even possibly a shorter hospital stay.
The risks with any nerve block include infection around the nerve block or catheter insertion site, bleeding, persistent numbness or tingling, and abnormal heart rhythms or seizures if the medication to numb the nerve is injected into an artery or vein. These risks are all rare, and your anesthesiologist will discuss these in depth and answer any questions you may have prior to performing this procedure. |
What is an adductor canal catheter, and how long does it stay in?
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If you are a candidate for an adductor canal catheter you can expect to have a continuous infusion of local anesthesia to help with your pain control for up to 3-4 days. A small, flexible catheter stays around the femoral nerve in the adductor canal, and a small, round pump containing local anesthetic medication, known as an On-Q Pump, continually infuses the numbing medication around the nerve.
The catheter location on the inner thigh along with the adhesive dressing used to hold the catheter in place can be seen in the image below. 
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Can I go home with a nerve block catheter?
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With the On-Q system you can go home with the catheter, and the catheter can be removed and disposed of at home. More information will be provided for the care of the OnQ Pump and catheter, and instructions for removal of the catheter will be provided prior to your discharge from the hospital. For additional information on side effects to be aware of as well as catheter removal, please see the brochures below.
For more information about the OnQ Pump catheter system, please visit their website at http://www.myon-q.com/on-q-pump.aspx. |
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