NCT07444827

Targeted Nerve Injection to the Knee (Nerve to Vastus Medialis): Comparing Two Adductor Canal Block Approaches

Study of Targeted Injection of Nerves to the Knee-A Volunteer Trial Evaluating Nerve to Vastus Medialis

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Duke University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized, double-blinded volunteer study compares two ways of performing the adductor canal (AC) nerve block at the mid-thigh to see which approach more reliably numbs the anteromedial knee. One approach is the traditional AC block placed near the saphenous nerve; the other separately targets the nerve to vastus medialis (NVM) in addition to the saphenous nerve. Healthy adult participants receive both blocks in one visit (one on each leg), with the order randomized. The primary outcome is change in quadriceps strength (a proxy for vastus medialis anesthesia) measured by load-cell dynamometry. Secondary outcomes include cutaneous sensory mapping (pinprick and cold) and the percentage of a standardized, marked knee-incision line covered by sensory block. The study uses ultrasound guidance and a standard dose of chloroprocaine, with routine monitoring to minimize risks.

Conditions

• Anesthesia, Local

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Traditional adductor canal block	Ultrasound-guided injection adjacent to the saphenous nerve; 20 mL of 2% chloroprocaine.
PROCEDURE	NVM (nerve to vastus medialis) targeted adductor canal block	Ultrasound-guided injection; 10 mL 2% chloroprocaine at the NVM (confirmed by nerve stimulation), plus 10 mL at the saphenous nerve.
DRUG	Chloroprocaine Injection	2% chloroprocaine

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-07-01
• Primary completion: 2027-07-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2026-03-03
• Last updated: 2026-03-03

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated drug study