EFFECT OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED SUBSARTORIAL APPROACH FOR SAPHENOUS NERVE BLOCK IN CASES WITH SAPHENOUS NERVE ENTRAPMENT IN ADDUCTOR CANAL FOR CONTROLLING CHRONIC KNEE PAIN.

BACKGROUND: Saphenous nerve neuropathy is one of the causes of chronic pain of the knee. Blockade of saphenous nerve under sonographich guide has been used for controlling pain in recent years. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of saphenous nerve block for controlling pain in patients with chronic knee pain. METHOD: Thirty five patients with chronic knee pain referred to Amir Alam hospital during June 2012-June 2013 were enrolled in this study. Under sonographic approach, subsartorial blockade of saphenous nerve conducted and patients were followed up for 3 months after treatment. Demographic data, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) category, weight, height, complications of intervention and pain scores were recorded. RESULTS: In 54%, the NRS was zero 30 minutes after intervention. In one patient (2.8%) all NRSs were 0 after intervention. We observed no sensory dysfunction in enrolled cases. CONCLUSION: The result of current study showed that ultrasound guided subsartorial approach is moderately effective in blockade of saphenous nerve in cases with saphenous nerve entrapment in adductor canal for controlling chronic knee pain.