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Popliteal Nerve Block for Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair Surgery

NCT06886815 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 80

Last updated 2026-04-23

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Achilles tendon rupture is common, yet the value of popliteal nerve block for postoperative pain control during surgical repair remains uncertain. Despite widespread use, evidence supporting its analgesic effectiveness is limited, and both popliteal nerve block and Achilles tendon repair carry risks of nerve injury. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate whether adding a popliteal nerve block to standard systemic analgesia improves postoperative pain and reduces opioid use in patients undergoing acute Achilles tendon rupture repair. Secondary outcomes will examine the incidence and impact of nerve complications on recovery, including return to physical activity and functional performance.

Conditions

  • Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Popliteal Nerve Block

Under ultrasound guidance, a 22G, 80-mm echogenic needle (SonoTAP II, Pajunk Medical Systems, USA) will be inserted using an in-plane lateral-to-medial approach. 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2.5 µg/ml of epinephrine will be deposited between tibial and common peroneal nerves within the paraneural sheath. Adequate spread of local anesthetics will be confirmed by visualization of paraneural spread.

PROCEDURE

Sham Block

Patients in the Control group will receive sham blocks using a 25G needle to inject 1 mL of saline subcutaneously in the same location (popliteus of the surgical knee). Sterilization and ultrasound scanning will match actual PN block. Such a non-invasive placebo allows maintaining patient blinding, while reducing the risks associated with high-volume placebo nerve block injections. The ultrasound screen will be blinded from the patient's vision for all patients in the trial to prevent unblinding by patients with knowledge of the technique.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Women's College Hospital

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Richard Brull, MD, FRCPC · University Health Network, Toronto

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-17
Primary Completion
2027-12-31
Completion
2028-03-31

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06886815 on ClinicalTrials.gov