Combined Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine and Adductor Canal Block for Analgesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Effective postoperative pain management is essential for improving patient outcomes following knee surgery, facilitating early mobilization, and reducing the risk of complications. The adductor canal block (ACB) is a nerve block of Hunters canal, which includes the saphenous and vastus medialis nerves. Additionally, other sensory nerves, such as the femoral nerve, medial cutaneous nerve, and both the anterior branch and terminal end of the posterior branch of the obturator nerve to some extent as it enters the distal part of the canal are blocked by the ACB. Dexmedetomidine (DXM) a highly selective α2 adrenergic agonist with sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, sympatholytic and antihypertensive effects.