Preop US-Guided Nerve Blocks for Pain & Recovery After Ankle Arthroscopy

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.

NCT Number	NCT07470021
Lead Sponsor	Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Conditions	Ankle Ligament Injury，Chronic Ankle Instability，Ankle Arthroscopy
Enrollment	70 participants
Start Date	2026-01-30
Primary Completion	2026-11-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-12-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-13