Abstract: ObjectiveTo compare the effect of rehabilitation training after surgical intervention of knee stiffness (SIKS) between femoral nerve block (FNB) and epidural nerve block (ENB).Methods60 patients undergoing SIKS at one knee joint were randomly assigned to two groups: 40 patients accepting a catheter for FNB in group A and 20 patients accepting a catheter for ENB in group B. All patients participated in passive rehabilitation therapy (PRT) and active rehabilitation therapy (ART) at 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, and 48 hours after operation. 10 ml of lidocaine were applied via these catheters before rehabilitation therapy. The visual analogue score (VAS) for pain in PRT, the time needed from the end of PRT to the start of ART, and the incidence of side effects such as hypotension or nausea were recorded.ResultsThere was no significant difference in VAS between groups A and B. The time needed from the end of PRT to the start of ART in group A was significantly less than that of group B. The incidence of hypotension or nausea in group A was significantly less than those of group B.ConclusionFNB provides the same analgesic effect as ENB, has less time needed from the end of PRT to the start of ART, and lowers incidence of hypotension or nausea.

Key words: femoral nerve block, epidural nerve block, surgical intervention of knee stiffness, passive rehabilitation therapy, active rehabilitation therapy