Peripheral Nerve Blocks

What are Peripheral Nerve Blocks?

Peripheral nerve blocks are injections of medication around the nerves to provide relief from pain. Peripheral nerve blocks do not replace the need for anesthesia. They are, however, a very effective method of controlling pain both during and after surgery.

What is the Peripheral Nervous System?

Part of your autonomic nervous system involves the peripheral nervous system.

The peripheral nervous system helps relay information between your body and brain. This includes involuntary body functions such as breathing, blood flow, and heartbeat as well as sensory information and control of voluntary movement.

What are Peripheral Nervous System Blocks Used For?

If you are experiencing pain or anticipating surgery, you may want a peripheral nervous system block.

Peripheral nerve block injections are used to treat pain associated with the nervous system, including:

  • Labor and delivery pain
  • Pain after surgery
  • Cancer-related pain
  • Arthritis pain
  • Severe facial pain, like trigeminal neuralgia
  • Low back pain
  • Headaches, including migraines and occipital neuralgia
  • Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS

What to Expect During a Peripheral Nerve Block

The location of the peripheral nerve block injection depends on where your pain is located. Peripheral nerve blocks are safe and effective local anesthetics that are injected around specific nerve areas to numb certain parts of your body.

Most often, a peripheral nerve block is given after surgery to minimize the use of opioid pain medications. The targeted nerve is often located a short distance from the surgical site.

The treatment takes approximately 30 minutes.

To help you relax, you can get a sedative administered through an IV.

Be sure to disclose any medications you are taking. A topical anesthetic is often applied to the area, the area is cleaned, and your care team will help you feel comfortable prior to the injection. Your care team can help you decide which pain medication will be right for you.

You will lie face down on an x-ray table so the pain specialist can access the injection area and use ultrasound or x-ray images to ensure proper placement of the injection.

There are both single-shot injections and continuous catheters. This will give you up to 24 hours of pain control after your surgery. Continuous catheters are placed before both inpatient and outpatient surgeries and are usually left in place for two to four days.

What to Expect After a Peripheral Nerve Block

You are able to go home the same day of the block procedure. However, you should refrain from rigorous activities and driving for 24 hours.

If you have a catheter placed, your care team will talk about proper care and limitations. Often, these blocks are used along with surgery, so you may have other recommendations based on the outcomes of your surgery.

What are the Benefits of a Peripheral Nerve Block?

Benefits of a peripheral nerve block include:

  • Significantly reduced post-operative pain
  • Reduced need for oral pain medications
  • Fewer side effects from oral medications
  • Increased mobility
  • Improved physical therapy participation
  • Earlier discharge from the hospital

Schedule an Appointment Today

Your care team may also recommend physical therapy to increase mobility in the area. Call 908-540-7954 to learn more.

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