Preop US-Guided Nerve Blocks for Pain & Recovery After Ankle Arthroscopy (NCT07470021) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Preop US-Guided Nerve Blocks for Pain & Recovery After Ankle Arthroscopy
China70 participantsStarted 2026-01-30
Plain-language summary
This randomized, double-blind controlled trial investigates the effectiveness and potential trade-offs of preoperative ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy, a procedure often performed in day-case settings but associated with significant early postoperative pain and frequent opioid use. The study evaluates whether these nerve blocks can reduce early postoperative pain-measured by the highest NRS score within 24 hours-and examines their impact on functional recovery, including motor strength and ambulation. All patients receive standardized general anesthesia and multimodal analgesia, with outcomes including opioid consumption, ankle weakness, patient satisfaction, range of motion, muscle strength, hospital stay duration, and analgesia-related costs.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Age between 18 and 65 years
ASA physical status classification I-II
Scheduled to undergo ankle arthroscopy under general anesthesia
Expected to be available for follow-up on the day of surgery (day-case or short-stay surgery)
Able to understand the procedures and methods of the clinical trial and voluntarily provide written informed consent
Body mass index (BMI) between 16 and 32 kg/m²
Exclusion Criteria:
History of severe ankle nerve injury or peripheral neuropathy
Severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal dysfunction
Chronic pain or regular use of opioid analgesics for more than 3 months
History of extensive ankle or lower leg surgery that may affect nerve localization
Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment that preclude accurate NRS pain scoring
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Known allergy or contraindication to any of the study drugs
Any other condition deemed unsuitable for inclusion by the investigators
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
The patient's highest NRS pain score within 24 hours postoperatively
Timeframe: within 24 hours postoperatively
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07470021
SponsorSecond Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University