Background

Severe arthritis of knee results in flexion contracture deformity (FCD). Total knee replacement (TKR) is often advised in such cases, which corrects the contracture, relieves pain and stabilizes movements of knee joint (Hwang YS et al. 2016; Jain JK et al. 2013). However, outcome of TKR is influenced by preoperative flexion deformity (Jain JK et al. 2013; Goudie ST et al. 2011; Mitsuyasu H et al. 2011; Veeraraghavan RR et al. 2018).

Therefore, all the possible measures are to be taken to minimize preoperative FCD for better outcome of TKR. Surgeons often used serial wedging casts after stretching under general anesthesia. However, it is very cost intensive and requires multiple exposure to anesthesia and frequent hospital admissions. Therefore, an easy and affordable approach which can facilitate the increment in range of movement (ROM) with reduction in pain and stiffness is highly warranted. Adductor canal block (ACB) is relatively new ultrasound-guided nerve block used for postoperative analgesia after TKR surgery (Lund J et al. 2011). We used continuous adductor canal block (CACB) to manage patients with severe preoperative FCD scheduled for TKR to facilitate physiotherapy. We report here two patients who presented with severe FCD and pain before TKR and were managed successfully with this approach.

Case presentation

Two female patients aged 58 and 68 years presented with severe FCD of both limbs (70°–90°) due to osteoarthritis for TKR surgery (Fig. 1). Due to severe FCD surgeon suggested improvement in ROM before surgery. However, due to stiffness and severe pain during physiotherapy, patients were unable to perform up to desired level. Initially for 2 days, injectable analgesics were given; however, pain relief was inadequate. Bilateral adductor canal block with insertion of catheter was decided to facilitate manipulation and stretching and to provide pain relief. Patients were educated about NRS (numeric rating scale) pain scoring on 11 points scale where score 0 = no pain and 10 = severe pain. We used a scale, which also incorporated facial expression related to severity of pain for easy understanding by uneducated patients. Ethical approval was taken from ethical committee of hospital. After informed consent and baseline pain scoring (at rest and on movement), first patient was taken to procedure room and non-invasive monitors for blood pressure, oximeter, and ECG (electro cardio graph) were connected. Using sterile technique (cap, mask, and sterile transparent camera cover for ultrasound probe and sterile ultrasound gel), bilateral adductor canal block (ACB) was given. A high-frequency ultrasound probe (6–13 MHz, SonoSite M-turbo, FUJIFILM SonoSite, Gurugram, India Pvt. Ltd.) was placed transversely at mid-thigh-level and deep femoral artery in the adductor canal was identified (Fig. 2a). Needle entry point at skin (lateral edge of probe) was anesthetized with 3 ml 1% lidocaine and 18 G Tuohy needle was inserted from anterolateral to posterior-medial direction deep to the adductor membrane, near deep femoral artery in the adductor canal. Hydro-dissection of tissue plane with 5 ml normal saline was done. Once correct spread of saline (around the artery) was noticed, 20 G epidural catheter was inserted leaving about 2.5–3.0 cm catheter in the adductor canal (Fig. 2b, c). Twenty milliliters 0.25% bupivacaine was given through catheter and dressing was done (Fig. 3a–d). After 30 min, pain on rest and on movement was assessed by NRS. Resting pain reduced to 2/10 from 5/10 and on movement pain reduced to 3/10 from pre-block level of 9/10. An elastomeric Pump (DOSI-FUSER® Leventon, S.A.U.) Capacity 250 ml with variable flow rates 2–14 ml/h, filled with 0.12% ropivacaine and 0.8 μg/ml fentanyl (300 mg ropivacaine and 200 μg fentanyl in 250 ml solution) was started @ 12 ml/h and both catheters were connected to the pump through a y-connector. Each side received 6 ml/h of the drug. Other than infusion of LA, patient was given orally tablet (paracetamol 325 mg + tramadol 37.5 mg) every12 h and diclofenac gel locally twice daily.

Fig. 1
figure 1

A1, A2, A3Flexion contracture deformity (FCD) in first patient. B1–B3 FCD in second patient

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Fig. 2
figure 2

a Sonoanatomy and identification of deep femoral artery in the adductor canal. b Correct spread of saline in the adductor canal (around the artery). c 20 G epidural catheter in the adductor canal. A-deep femoral artery, LA-local anesthetic, AM-adductor magnus muscle, SM- sartorius muscle. VAM-vaso-adductor membrane, VM-vastus medialis muscle

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Fig. 3
figure 3

a Positioning for adductor canal block, patient unable to extend the lower limbs due to flexion contracture deformity. b Observation for spread of local anesthetic after catheter insertion. c Tunnelling of catheter for stability. d Dressing and labeling of catheters for safety. A-deep femoral artery, LA-local anesthetic, AM-adductor magnus muscle, SM-sartorius muscle. VAM-vaso-adductor membrane, VM-vastus medialis muscle

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Pain on rest and on movement was recorded three times (8 am, 2pm, and 8pm) in a day. Every day, 10 ml 0.2% ropivacaine in each catheter was given 30 minutes before active stretching of limbs. First surgery was done after 7th day of catheter insertion and other side was operated after 1 week of first surgery. Catheters were removed after 4th day of second surgery. Second patient was also managed in similar manner. Both patients had excellent pain relief (NRS score remain < 4 on movement and 4–5 on stretching) reduction in FCD (< 30°) was achieved before scheduled TKR surgery. The residual FCD was corrected during surgery (Fig. 4 A1, A2, and B1, B2).

Fig. 4
figure 4

A1, A2 Postoperative results of first patient. B1, B2 Postoperative results in second patient

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Discussion

Preoperative reduction in the degree of FCD is essential for successful TKR surgery. Goudie et al. (Goudie ST et al. 2011) concluded that there is 2.3 times greater risk of a residual fixed flexion deformity after TKR if there is a pre-existing FCD. Surgical correction is the last resort and severe degree of FCD requires special surgical techniques and often considered curse to the knee arthroplasty surgeons (Veeraraghavan RR et al. 2018). Active and passive stretching remains the cornerstone of FCD management. Adductor canal block has been used effectively to manage postoperative pain after TKR surgery. We used CACB with continuous infusion of diluted local anesthetic (ropivacaine 0.12%) for pain relief and intermittent boluses of local anesthetic (ropivacaine 0.2%, given 30 min before physiotherapy) for stretching and improving ROM. This technique was successful to reduce the pain during rest as-well-as during stretching and other exercises for increasing mobility. The adductor canal catheter inserted for preoperative exercise and stretching, also used for postoperative pain relief and mobilization. As, it is essential to correct fixed flexion deformities at the time of TKR, it is equally important in the post-operative course to maintain the correction (Su 2012). In our cases, the catheters were helpful to reduce FCD from 90° to < 30° in first case and from 70° to < 30° in second case. The remaining FCD was corrected easily during surgery (Fig. 4a, b). In our both cases, CACB not only helped in preoperative physiotherapy and postoperative analgesia but also helped in good quality of post-operative physiotherapy by excellent pain control without compromising the muscle strength (Grevstad U et al. 2015; Canbek U et al. 2019).

Conclusion

Continuous adductor canal block (CACB) helped in the management of preoperative flexion contracture deformity (FCD) in two patients scheduled for TKR surgery. FCD was reduced up to 30° in both patients. CACB was very useful technique to manage FCD in our clinical setup; however, its generalized utility needs revalidation for clinical and financial implications.