Phase 4
Completed N=192
Genicular Nerve Blocks for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Surgery
ACL · Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05720949 ↗
Enrolled (actual)
192
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jan 2026
Primary outcomePrimary: Mean Opioid Consumption at 24 Hours — 21.5; 19.9 morphine milligram equivalents — p=0.17
◆ Published Evidence
No publication linked
No peer-reviewed publication reporting this trial's results has been linked yet. This can indicate results are unpublished — a known publication-bias signal. We re-check periodically.
Summary
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to assess a new analgesia regimen that includes the addition of genicular never blocks to our current standard regimen of peripheral nerve blocks, which includes an adductor canal block (ACB) and interspace between the popliteal artery and capsule of the posterior knee block (IPACK). The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Does addition of genicular nerve blocks to standard peripheral block regimen significantly reduce the mean opioid consumption by 33% in the first 24 hours?
2. Does genicular nerve blocks reduce NRS pain scores?
3. Does genicular nerve blocks facilitate earlier discharge?
4. Does genicular nerve blocks last longer than 24 hours?
5. Does genicular nerve blocks improve pain management?
Eligible patients are those undergoing an anterior cruciate ligament repair at the Hospital for Special Surgery and participants will be randomized to receive the intervention (genicular nerve block) or the standard of care.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Mean Opioid Consumption at 24 Hours |
21.5; 19.9 | 0.17 |
| SECONDARY Opioid Consumption |
7.5; 7.5; 15; 11.25; 7.5; 0 | 0.037 sig |
| SECONDARY Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Pain Scores |
3; 2; 4; 2.5; 3; 3 | 0.004 sig |
| SECONDARY Cumulative Opioid Consumption |
22.5; 15; 33.75; 30; 37.5; 37.5 | 0.17 |
| SECONDARY Brief Pain Inventory |
2; 2; 0; 0; 1; 1 | 0.66 |
| SECONDARY Patient Satisfaction With Pain Treatment |
10; 10; 10; 10; 10; 10 | 0.002 sig |
| SECONDARY Duration of Analgesic Block |
15.8; 13.825; 22.19; 25.05 | 0.93 |
| SECONDARY Success of Adductor Canal Block |
28; 55; 45; 32; 22; 8 | 0.0002 sig |
| SECONDARY Readiness for PACU Discharge |
1.69; 1.67 | 0.928 |
| SECONDARY Length of PACU Stay |
125.5; 124.0 | 0.44 |
| SECONDARY Adverse Events |
0; 0 | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Age 18 - 80
- English speaking
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I - III
- BMI 30 mg for at least 3 months)
- Contraindication to peripheral nerve blocks
- Contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia
- History of peripheral neuropathy or pre-existing neurological deficits
- Psychiatric or cognitive disorder that prohibit patient from following study protocol
- Allergy to local anesthetic or study medications
- Multi-ligament surgery
- History of substance abuse
- Infection at the site of injection
- diagnoses of Type I or Type II diabetes
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05720949). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.