NCT07444827

Brief 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.

Trial Health

65
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Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
25

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_4

Timeline
17mo left

Started Jul 2026

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 25, 2026

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 3, 2026

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2026

Expected
1 year until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 1, 2027

5 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2027

Last Updated

March 3, 2026

Status Verified

February 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

February 25, 2026

Last Update Submit

February 25, 2026

Conditions

Anesthesia, Local

Keywords

Adductor canal blockNerve to vastus medialisChloroprocaineKnee joint

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Quadriceps strength as measured by load cell dynamometer

    Load cell dynamometers are highly accurate portable electronic devices used to measure isometric muscle strength.

    Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Percentage of hypothetical incision covered

    Day 1

Study Arms (2)

Traditional adductor canal block

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

20 mL of 2% chloroprocaine deposited adjacent to the saphenous nerve under ultrasound guidance.

Procedure: Traditional adductor canal blockDrug: Chloroprocaine Injection

NVM (nerve to vastus medialis) targeted adductor canal block

EXPERIMENTAL

10 mL of 2% chloroprocaine by the NVM (confirmed with nerve stimulation), plus 10 mL by the saphenous nerve (total 20 mL), under ultrasound guidance.

Procedure: NVM (nerve to vastus medialis) targeted adductor canal blockDrug: Chloroprocaine Injection

Interventions

Traditional adductor canal blockPROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided injection adjacent to the saphenous nerve; 20 mL of 2% chloroprocaine.

Traditional adductor canal block
NVM (nerve to vastus medialis) targeted adductor canal blockPROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided injection; 10 mL 2% chloroprocaine at the NVM (confirmed by nerve stimulation), plus 10 mL at the saphenous nerve.

NVM (nerve to vastus medialis) targeted adductor canal block
Chloroprocaine InjectionDRUG

2% chloroprocaine

NVM (nerve to vastus medialis) targeted adductor canal blockTraditional adductor canal block

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age ≥18 years
  • Able to provide written informed consent
  • Able and willing to comply with study procedures and \~6-hour visit
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status 1 or 2
  • Weight \>70 kg

You may not qualify if:

  • BMI \>35 kg/m²
  • Use of analgesics within 24 hours before the procedure
  • History of thigh trauma or surgery
  • Pregnant or planning pregnancy
  • Lower extremity deformities/tattoos interfering with block performance
  • Systemic neuromuscular disease
  • Contraindications to regional anesthesia (e.g., infection, allergy, challenging sonoanatomy)
  • Other health conditions that would affect safe participation

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Interventions

chloroprocaine

Study Officials

  • Brian Mendelson

    Duke University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ashley Burke

CONTACT

(919) 681-2849ashley.burke@duke.edu

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 25, 2026

First Posted

March 3, 2026

Study Start (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2027

Last Updated

March 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share