How common is nerve injury after a regional block?
Nerve injury after a regional block is a rare occurrence, which can occur anywhere from 1 in 4,000 blocks to 1 in 200,000 blocks, depending on the type of block and specific risk factors. It can be related to direct-needle injury of the nerve or to secondary complications like bleeding or infection. To prevent nerve injury, inform the anesthesiologist if the patient experiences any sharp or radiating pain during needle placement or injection. If the patient experiences any new symptoms like tingling, numbness or motor dysfunction after a nerve block already has worn off, seek medical attention immediately as this can be a sign of secondary damage by hematoma or infection. Because recovery of nerve function depends on timely initiation of diagnosis and treatment, do not take any unexpected changes lightly.
