New shot tested to slash pain and opioid use after common knee surgery

This study tested whether adding a specific type of nerve block (a genicular nerve block) to the standard pain control plan could better manage pain after ACL repair surgery. Researchers enrolled 192 adults having this common knee surgery to see if the new block reduced opioid painkiller use and pain scores in the first day after surgery, and helped patients go home sooner. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the new nerve block or the standard care.