Editorial Commentary: Hip Arthroscopy Pain Management With Surgeon-Administered Pericapusular Injection Is Fast, Safe, Inexpensive, and Effective.

Abstract

Regional pain management after hip arthroscopy is challenging. The hip capsule alone has a complex and highly variable innervation, including contributions from articular branches of the femoral, obturator, accessory obturator, accessory femoral, superior gluteal, accessory superior gluteal, inferior gluteal, sciatic, and posterior femoral cutaneous nerves, nerve to the quadratus femoris, as well as a direct supply from the lumbosacral plexus. Thus, it is unrealistic to expect a traditional peripheral nerve block, including blocks of the proximal lumbar plexus, femoral nerve, and fascia iliaca region to provide thorough hip analgesia without inducing quadriceps weakness that could result in a patient experiencing a fall during the postoperative period. In addition, newer, sensory-only blocks, such as quadratus lumborum or pericapsular nerve group blocks, have not been shown to be superior to simple pericapsular injection (PCI). Hip arthroscopy pain management using surgeon administered PCI is fast, safe, inexpensive, and effective. While not perfect, PCI is the best option among current choices.