What is a peripheral regional nerve block?
Regional nerve block involves the placement of a tiny plastic tube known as a catheter into a nerve sheath, or web of nerves also called a nerve plexus. The technique referred to as a nerve block may be used in combination with general anaesthetic or as a sole agent to provide post-operative pain control (analgesia). The control of pain following surgery occurs when a special medication is injected into the catheter. There are two types of medication commonly injected into this catheter. The medications are: • Local anaesthetics (LA): these medications numb the nerves that carry pain signals from the injured/operation site to the brain. • Opioids: also called narcotics. These medications block pain receptors to provide pain control. Opioids may be used in combination with the local anaesthetic. The medication may be given as a once only injection. When this occurs pain control should be obtained for 10-16 hours. When the nerve block begins to wear off you may experience a pins and need
