What are Nerve blocks?
A nerve block is a form of regional anesthesia where an anesthesia medication is injected directly next to the nerve to block the transmission of nerve signals. Common regional blocks used by your anesthesiologist include.
- Axillary block - The axillary block is used for surgery involving areas of the upper body such as the hand, elbow or forearm
- Lumbar plexus block - The lumbar plexus block is used for surgery involving the hip including hip replacement surgery.
- Femoral block - The femoral block is used for surgery involving the knee, including knee replacement and ACL reconstruction.
- Popliteal and Saphenous blocks - The popliteal and saphenous nerve blocks are used for surgery involving the foot and ankle.
- Ankle block - The ankle block is common for surgery of the foot and is administered around the ankle
- Bier Block - This primarily used in procedures lasting less than forty minutes that involve the arm, wrist or forearm
- Interscalene block - An interscalene block is a nerve block injection around the group of nerves that supplies feeling to the arm and shoulder.
- Spinal block - This is a nerve block injection into the lower back where the spinal nerves are located. It will block the feeling and movement of the lower half of your body.
