Papers of the Week

Chronic opioid use is unfortunately perceived among these postoperative patients, specifically within orthopedic surgery. Patients having orthopedic surgeries are at risk for becoming addicted to opioids, and one benefit of peripheral nerves blocks could be to provide an alternative mode of pain control. This study takes a retrospective look at the use of peripheral nerve blocks for pain control following surgery for isolated traumatic ankle injuries. We hypothesize that when peripheral nerve blocks are administered preoperatively to patients with closed ankle fractures, they will have overall better control of postoperative pain compared to patients who did not receive a peripheral nerve block.