Adductor Canal Block vs Combined Approach: New Clinical Trial May Reshape Postoperative Knee Pain Care

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital has announced an important clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of two pain management approaches for patients undergoing knee arthroscopy: the Adductor Canal Block (ACB) alone versus a combined approach using ACB and biceps femoris short head block.

The trial, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov but not yet recruiting as of November 22, 2025, aims to deepen understanding of postoperative pain control strategies. This news is crucial for clinical, regulatory, and quality teams focused on advancing medical procedures, improving patient recovery outcomes, and aligning therapeutic options with best practices.

What changed?

The initiative covers two anesthetic procedures used in postoperative pain care after knee arthroscopy. Clinical researchers will assess whether adding the biceps femoris short head block to ACB enhances pain relief while maintaining safety and performance. With the trial’s focus on optimizing recovery protocols, regulatory teams should monitor its outcomes closely.

As of this publication date, the trial has not begun recruiting participants. Regular updates can be tracked on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How will the trial work?

The trial, led by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, proposes a prospective, randomized controlled format—a gold standard methodology in clinical research. Patients will be divided into two groups:

  • Group One will receive only the Adductor Canal Block (ACB).
  • Group Two will undergo a combined approach: ACB plus biceps femoris short head block.

Researchers will measure analgesic efficacy, aiming to analyze pain levels, recovery timing, and potential side effects associated with both techniques. The study could redefine best practices in postoperative pain care protocols for knee arthroscopy.

Why does this matter clinically?

Postoperative pain management is critical in orthopedic procedures such as knee arthroscopy. Poorly controlled pain can delay recovery, reduce patient satisfaction, and increase the risk of complications.

The comparison between ACB alone and the combined approach could reveal specific advantages in terms of faster mobility, reduced reliance on systemic pain medications, and enhanced patient comfort.

An enhanced protocol could streamline outcomes for thousands of patients annually, particularly those undergoing minimally invasive joint surgeries.

FAQs

1. Who can participate in the trial?
The trial will include patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy. Details about inclusion criteria will be provided when recruitment begins.

2. What are the benefits of adding the biceps femoris block?
This addition may improve pain control by targeting complementary nerve pathways.

3. When will recruitment begin?
November 2025 updates confirm the trial is not yet recruiting, but timelines may change.

Actionable insights

For clinical teams, monitoring this trial’s progress is essential. Results could influence guidelines in anesthetic practices for knee surgeries. Regulatory professionals should make note of the methodology and track future publishing of results to align with evolving medical device and technique regulations.

Stay tuned for developments by referring to the ClinicalTrials.gov registry below.

Important disclaimer

This article is intended for informational and professional purposes only. It does not constitute legal or medical advice. All information is based on the provided ClinicalTrials.gov record as of publication date.

Full information link

For full information about the announcement, see the link below.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07242339?term=medical+device