Peripheral Nerve Block
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 2, 2024.
What do I need to know about a peripheral nerve block?
A peripheral nerve block is a type of regional anesthesia. Medicine is given as an injection to numb part of your body. The arm and leg are the most common areas for a peripheral nerve block. Other areas include the head, neck, back, abdomen, collarbone, and hip. You may need a peripheral nerve block during surgery or a procedure. You may have less pain after surgery, and be able to go home sooner. Peripheral nerve blocks can also be used to treat chronic pain. The pain relief usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks.
How do I prepare for a peripheral nerve block?
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. Your provider may tell you not to eat or drink anything for a certain time before your procedure. You may need to arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.
- Tell your provider if you or anyone in your family has ever had problems with anesthesia.
- Tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including vitamins and herbs. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the nerve block, and when to stop. Your provider will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your nerve block.
What will happen during a peripheral nerve block?
- You may receive medicine in your IV to make you sleepy and more relaxed. Your healthcare provider may use an ultrasound or nerve stimulator to find the nerves to numb. An ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures of the body area on a monitor. A nerve stimulator uses a small electrical current that causes your muscle to twitch when the nerve is found.
- When the nerves are found, a needle will be put through your skin into the tissue near the nerve. Anesthesia will be given through the needle into tissues around the nerve to be numbed. Medicine to reduce bleeding may also be given. You may have some discomfort when the numbing medicine is given. Your body part may feel tingly before it becomes numb.
What should I expect after a peripheral nerve block?
- Healthcare providers will monitor you until you are fully alert. You may be able to go home when providers see you are okay.
- You may be sore where the needle went into your skin. You may also have muscle spasms, body aches, or a warm feeling in your arm or leg. These are all normal and should get better soon.
- Your healthcare provider may tell you to rest the day after the nerve block. Your provider will tell you when you can drive and return to work or your normal daily activities.
- You may be asked to keep a record of your symptoms and activities. Include the date if your symptoms return.
- You may not be able to feel pain in the peripheral nerve block area for about 4 to 18 hours. You will need to protect the area from injury during this time.
What are the risks of a peripheral nerve block?
You may have bruising or bleeding in the nerve block area. You may develop an infection. You may have a hoarse voice, blurry vision, or a droopy eye. These are usually temporary. If the medicine enters a vein or you get too much, you may get headaches and have muscle twitching. You could also have a seizure or a heart attack. The peripheral nerve block may cause nerve damage, chronic pain, or loss of function of the body part. A peripheral nerve block in your upper body may damage your lungs.
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