Mid-Calf Nerve Block: Safe and Effective Anesthetic Option for Foot and Ankle Surgery – Pilot Study at HSS Shows Faster Recovery of Motor Function of Ankle Joint compared to Popliteal Block.

A recent pilot study conducted at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) reveals that a mid-calf nerve block is a safer and better alternative to popliteal blocks for foot and ankle surgeries. The study found that the use of an ultrasound-guided mid-calf block could speed up recovery and enable earlier rehabilitation protocols. The mid-calf block provides prolonged analgesia for any foot or ankle surgery while preserving motor function of the ankle joint, according to senior author of the study, Enrique A. Goytizolo, MD. The findings were presented at the 2023 Spring American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) Annual Meeting. HSS is ranked as the world’s leading academic medical center that focuses on musculoskeletal health.