Analysis of Inpatient Falls After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients With Continuous Femoral Nerve Block

Continuous femoral nerve block (cFNB) is thought to increase the risk of falls after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Previous studies have failed to consider the timing of cFNB removal in relation to inpatient falls. We investigated all inpatient falls after TKA over a 3-year period using our institutional safety report database. Ninety-five falls were reported from a total of 3745 patients. The frequency of falls after TKA persisted at a similar rate despite removal of cFNB and likely regression of femoral nerve block. Other modifiable risk factors may play a more prominent role in falls risk after TKA. Accepted for publication October 24, 2017. Funding: This work was supported by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Stephen Choi, MD, FRCPC, Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, M3-200, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4N 3M5. Address e-mail to stephen.choi@sunnybrook.ca. © 2017 International Anesthesia Research Society

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