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NCT Number: NCT07524387

Femoral Triangle Block vs Adductor Canal Block on Early Quadriceps Function After Total Knee Arthroplasty

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of femoral triangle block (FTB) and adductor canal block (ACB) on early quadriceps function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

The main question it aims to answer is whether FTB causes more early quadriceps functional impairment than ACB under a standardized multimodal analgesia protocol.

Researchers will compare FTB and ACB using a composite binary functional outcome measured 6 hours after block completion. Quadriceps functional impairment is defined as the inability to perform a structured straight leg raise or quadriceps muscle strength <50% of the preoperative baseline.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided FTB or ACB. All participants will also receive a popliteal plexus block and standardized multimodal analgesia.

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Key information

Conditions

Total Knee Arthroplasty Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Signs and Symptoms Total Knee Arthroplasty Postoperative Pain Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery

Age range

20 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Anesthesiology, Daiyukai General Hospital

Ichinomiya, Aichi-ken, 491-8511, Japan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Aya Seki, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Chieko Taruishi, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Hiroki Yoshida, MS

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Norihiro Sakai, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+81-586-72-1211

Tomohiro Michino, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+81-586-72-1211

Tomohiro Michino, MD, PhD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Tomoko Sudani, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Yuki Uematsu, MD

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

This is a single-center, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial designed to compare the postoperative effects of femoral triangle block (FTB) and adductor canal block (ACB) on early quadriceps function after primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total of 136 adult participants are planned for enrollment at Daiyukai General Hospital.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided FTB or ultrasound-guided ACB as part of a standardized multimodal analgesia protocol. In all participants, a popliteal plexus block will also be performed to standardize posterior knee analgesia.

The primary outcome is quadriceps functional impairment at 6 hours after block completion, assessed using a composite binary functional outcome defined as the inability to perform a structured straight leg raise or normalized isometric quadriceps muscle strength <50% of the preoperative baseline.

Secondary outcomes include quadriceps functional impairment at 24 hours after block completion using the same composite definition, postoperative pain intensity, rescue analgesic consumption, early mobilization and rehabilitation-related measures, active knee range of motion, time to achieve active knee flexion of at least 120 degrees, and ultrasound-assessed local anesthetic spread.

The study aims to determine whether FTB results in greater early motor impairment than ACB under a standardized multimodal analgesia protocol while maintaining clinically appropriate postoperative analgesia.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult patients (≥ 20 years of age) are scheduled to undergo primary unilateral TKA.
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III.
  • Ability to ambulate independently prior to surgery.
  • Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
  • Planned perioperative anesthesia management including regional anesthesia as part of standard clinical care.
  • Ability to extend the knee below 30 degrees preoperatively (no knee extension contracture)

Exclusion criteria

  • Known allergy or contraindication to local anesthetic agents used in this study.
  • Pre-existing neurological or neuromuscular disorders affect lower limb strength or motor control.
  • Severe cognitive impairment or psychiatric conditions interfere with study participation or assessment.
  • History of revision knee arthroplasty on the operative side.
  • Severe preoperative quadriceps weakness that precludes reliable baseline strength assessment.
  • Any condition deemed by the investigator to make participation inappropriate.

Treatment and study plan

Femoral Triangle Block (FTB) Group

Procedure

Ultrasound-guided femoral triangle block performed as part of a standardized multimodal analgesia protocol for total knee arthroplasty.

A total of 10 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine is injected in the femoral triangle to achieve sensory blockade of the saphenous nerve, the nerve to vastus medialis, and surrounding structures.

The injection is performed at the distal femoral triangle under ultrasound guidance, targeting the perineural space adjacent to the relevant nerve branches.

In all participants, a popliteal plexus block using 15 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine is additionally performed to standardize posterior knee analgesia.

Adductor canal block (ACB) group

Procedure

Ultrasound-guided adductor canal block performed as part of a standardized multimodal analgesia protocol for total knee arthroplasty.

A total of 10 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine is administered in a divided manner within the proximal adductor canal, targeting both the saphenous nerve within the canal and the nerve to vastus medialis running adjacent to the canal.

The injection is performed under ultrasound guidance to achieve selective sensory blockade while minimizing motor involvement.

In all participants, a popliteal plexus block using 15 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine is additionally performed to standardize posterior knee analgesia.

Primary outcomes

  1. Participants with quadriceps functional impairment at 6 hours after block completion

    Time frame: 6 hours after block completion

    Composite binary functional outcome defined as the inability to perform a structured straight leg raise (SLR) or normalized isometric quadriceps muscle strength <50% of the preoperative baseline. The outcome will be reported as the percentage of participants with quadriceps functional impairment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Participants with quadriceps functional impairment at 24 hours after block completion

    Time frame: 24 hours after block completion

    Composite binary functional outcome defined as the inability to perform a structured SLR or normalized isometric quadriceps muscle strength <50% of the preoperative baseline. The outcome will be reported as the percentage of participants with quadriceps functional impairment.

  2. Participants able to perform a structured straight leg raise at 6 and 24 hours after block completion

    Time frame: 6 and 24 hours after block completion

    Ability to perform a structured straight leg raise (SLR), assessed using the predefined study procedure. The outcome will be reported as the percentage of participants able to perform the structured SLR.

  3. Normalized isometric quadriceps muscle strength at 6 and 24 hours after block completion

    Time frame: 6 and 24 hours after block completion

    Normalized isometric quadriceps muscle strength, expressed as a percentage of the preoperative baseline (%MVIC). Higher values indicate greater preservation of quadriceps strength.

  4. Postoperative pain intensity at rest on the Numeric Rating Scale

    Time frame: 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after surgery

    Pain intensity at rest assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable; higher scores indicate worse pain. Pain will be assessed postoperatively after patient awakening.

  5. Postoperative pain intensity during active knee movement on the Numeric Rating Scale

    Time frame: 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after surgery

    Pain intensity during active knee movement assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain imaginable; higher scores indicate worse pain. Pain will be assessed postoperatively after patient awakening.

  6. Participants requiring any rescue analgesic during the first 24 postoperative hours

    Time frame: Within the first postoperative 24 hours

    Proportion of participants who receive at least one rescue analgesic during the first 24 postoperative hours. Rescue analgesia is permitted when the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score is 5 or higher or when the participant requests additional analgesia. Allowed rescue analgesics include loxoprofen, acetaminophen, diclofenac suppository, and intramuscular pentazocine. The choice of rescue agent is left to the treating clinical team, and no fixed sequence of rescue analgesics is mandated.

  7. Number of rescue analgesic administrations during the first 48 postoperative hours

    Time frame: Within the first postoperative 48 hours

    Total number of rescue analgesic administrations per participant during the first 48 postoperative hours.

    Rescue analgesia is permitted when the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score is 5 or higher or when the participant requests additional analgesia. Allowed rescue analgesics include loxoprofen, acetaminophen, diclofenac suppository, and intramuscular pentazocine. The choice of rescue agent is left to the treating clinical team, and no fixed sequence of rescue analgesics is mandated.

  8. Time to first mobilization

    Time frame: Within 24 hours after block completion

    Time from block completion to the first documented mobilization attempt.

  9. Ability to stand during the first postoperative rehabilitation session

    Time frame: Postoperative day 1

    Proportion of participants able to complete supported standing during the first routine postoperative rehabilitation session, as assessed and documented by a physical therapist.

  10. Walking distance during routine postoperative rehabilitation

    Time frame: From postoperative days 1 to 7

    Distance ambulated in meters during supervised postoperative rehabilitation sessions, as assessed and documented by a physical therapist.

  11. Active knee flexion angle of the operated knee

    Time frame: Postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 7

    Active knee flexion angle of the operated knee, measured in degrees by rehabilitation staff using a goniometer during routine postoperative rehabilitation assessment. Higher values indicate greater knee flexion.

  12. Active knee extension deficit angle of the operated knee

    Time frame: Postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 7

    Active knee extension deficit angle of the operated knee, measured in degrees by rehabilitation staff using a goniometer during routine postoperative rehabilitation assessment, where 0 degrees indicates full knee extension and higher values indicate greater residual extension limitation.

  13. Time to achieve active knee flexion of at least 120 degrees

    Time frame: Up to postoperative day 7

    Number of days required to achieve active knee flexion of the operated knee of at least 120 degrees, based on routine postoperative rehabilitation assessment by rehabilitation staff using a goniometer.

  14. Cranial spread of local anesthetic from the injection point

    Time frame: Immediately after block completion

    Cranial spread of local anesthetic from the injection point, measured in centimeters on ultrasound immediately after block completion. Higher values indicate greater cranial spread of the injectate.

  15. Caudal spread of local anesthetic from the injection point

    Time frame: Immediately after block completion

    Caudal spread of local anesthetic from the injection point, measured in centimeters on ultrasound immediately after block completion. Higher values indicate greater caudal spread of the injectate.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Norihiro Sakai, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+81-586-72-1211

Tomohiro Michino, MD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+81-586-72-1211

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Social Medical Corporation Daiyukai

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Postoperative Effects of Femoral Triangle Block Versus Adductor Canal Block on Early Quadriceps Function After Total Knee Arthroplasty Under a Multimodal Analgesia Protocol: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Apr 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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