NCT06886815

Popliteal Nerve Block for Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair Surgery

The Effects of Popliteal Nerve Block on Pain and Nerve-Related Symptoms After Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Women's College Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Achilles tendon rupture is common, yet the value of popliteal nerve block for postoperative pain control during surgical repair remains uncertain. Despite widespread use, evidence supporting its analgesic effectiveness is limited, and both popliteal nerve block and Achilles tendon repair carry risks of nerve injury. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate whether adding a popliteal nerve block to standard systemic analgesia improves postoperative pain and reduces opioid use in patients undergoing acute Achilles tendon rupture repair. Secondary outcomes will examine the incidence and impact of nerve complications on recovery, including return to physical activity and functional performance.

Detailed description

This will be a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled superiority trial conducted at Women's College Hospital (WCH). The study aims to enroll 80 patients (40 per group) undergoing ambulatory surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.

Conditions

• Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Popliteal Nerve Block	Under ultrasound guidance, a 22G, 80-mm echogenic needle (SonoTAP II, Pajunk Medical Systems, USA) will be inserted using an in-plane lateral-to-medial approach. 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2.5 µg/ml of epinephrine will be deposited between tibial and common peroneal nerves within the paraneural sheath. Adequate spread of local anesthetics will be confirmed by visualization of paraneural spread.
PROCEDURE	Sham Block	Patients in the Control group will receive sham blocks using a 25G needle to inject 1 mL of saline subcutaneously in the same location (popliteus of the surgical knee). Sterilization and ultrasound scanning will match actual PN block. Such a non-invasive placebo allows maintaining patient blinding, while reducing the risks associated with high-volume placebo nerve block injections. The ultrasound screen will be blinded from the patient's vision for all patients in the trial to prevent unblinding by patients with knowledge of the technique.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2027-11-01
• Completion: 2028-03-01
• First posted: 2025-03-20
• Last updated: 2026-02-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada