Perineural Steroids for Peripheral Nerve Blocks

The purpose of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial is to examine if
dexamethasone given perineurally as an adjuvant to the nerve block will prolong the time to
recovery from sensory nerve block from a saphenous (or adductor canal) nerve block. The
primary outcome will be time to resolution of the nerve block as assessed by pinprick over
the saphenous nerve distribution. If this primary end point is met, this study will also
serve as an equivalency dosing study comparing 1 mg of perineural dexamethasone to 4 mg of
perineural dexamethasone.

Inclusion Criteria:

- elective robotic medial MAKO partial knee arthroplasty

- agreed to a regional anesthesia technique

Exclusion Criteria:

- contraindications to regional anesthesia

- presence of a progressive neurological deficit

- a pre-existing coagulopathy, infection

- insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

- systemic use of corticosteroids within 30 days of surgery

- chronic use of an opioid analgesic (>3 months or a combined total of more than 40 mg
Oxycodone equivalents a day)

- pregnancy

- a prior history of an adverse event (for example: psychosis) or an allergy to
dexamethasone