Fast Track Total Knee Arthroplasty: Local Infiltration Analgesia vs Femoral Nerve Block

the surgeon infiltrates the posterior capsule of the knee using 100 mL ropivacaine 0.2% with 0.5 mg epinephrine.

the surgeon infiltrates the anterior capsule of the knee using 50 mL ropivacaine 0.2% with 0.25 mg epinephrine.

the surgeon infiltrates the subcutaneous tissue of the knee using 50 mL ropivacaine 0.2% before wound closure.

pre-operatively the anesthesiologist will ultrasound guided place a catheter close to the femoral nerve using sodium chloride (NaCl 0.9%) (no local anesthetic). During surgery, when the LIA of the posterior capsule is performed, 20 mL ropivacaine 0.2% will be administered through the catheter to create a femoral nerve block (FNB). Postoperatively patients will receive 20 mL ropivacaine 0.2% through the catheter 6 times daily for 24 hours