I'm Having Orthopedic Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is regional anesthesia?

Regional anesthesia is a type of anesthesia where one part of your body is made numb by local anesthetics, also known as numbing medication. There are two categories of regional anesthesia - peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial anesthesia (spinals and epidurals). Depending on the type of surgery you’re having, you may be able to have one or both types.
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Peripheral Nerve Blocks - Your anesthesiologist will use an ultrasound to find clusters of nerves and inject numbing medication around them. This stops sensations from that particular area of your body, blocking pain signals from reaching your brain. We’re able to target nerves in the arm, legs, abdomen and chest. You may have a one time dose of numbing medication or a catheter (a tiny plastic tube) placed, depending on your surgery and medical history.
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Neuraxial Anesthesia (spinal and epidural anesthesia) - Your anesthesiologist will place numbing medication in an appropriate area of your back. With spinal anesthesia, a one time injection of medication is used. With an epidural, a catheter (a tiny plastic tube) is inserted into the epidural space to be able to give numbing medication over a longer period of time. Both spinals and epidurals stop pain signals traveling from your legs and abdomen to your brain.

Who will perform the nerve block and/or neuraxial anesthesia?

One of our board certified anesthesiologists will perform these procedures on you.

What can I expect on the day of surgery if I'm getting a peripheral nerve block?

When you have a peripheral nerve block, it’ll be placed before your surgery starts. Your anesthesiologist will meet with you on the day of your surgery and discuss the risks and benefits of each type of anesthesia, including regional anesthesia. After the correct procedure and site is confirmed with you, you’ll receive sedation during the placement of the nerve block. An ultrasound will be used to locate the nerves and your anesthesiologist will then place the numbing medication around these nerves. Most patients tolerate this with minimal discomfort. After the procedure is over, you’ll proceed to the operating room for your surgery.

How long does a nerve block last?

How long a nerve block lasts depends on the type of numbing medication used as well as if you had a single shot block or a catheter placed. A single shot nerve block is when only one dose of medication is left near the nerves. Typically, you can expect 6-18 hours of numbness with this type of injection, however some patients may remain numb for up to 24 hours or more.
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If a catheter is placed, it means that a small plastic tube was left near the nerves and numbing medication can be infused over the course of 2-4 days. For safety reasons, the numbing medication that is infused is a lower concentration than the initial injection. This means, when you have a nerve catheter, 12-24 hours after the initial placement of the nerve block, you’ll likely begin to notice increased sensation in the part of your body affected by the nerve block. You may experience a sensation of "pins and needles,”mild to moderate aches, or even begin to regain the ability to move the affected extremity.

This does not mean that the nerve catheter is no longer working. Your nerve catheter is still decreasing your pain level a great deal, and you’ll be prescribed oral pain medications by your surgeon to help manage any increased discomfort. It’s safe to take oral pain medications while a nerve catheter is in place.

Does having a nerve block mean that I'll be awake during surgery?

Not necessarily. Most patients will receive sedation in the operating room along with the nerve block. Some patients may be completely asleep under general anesthesia. This all depends on the type of surgery you’re having, the type of nerve block you receive, and your medical history. Your anesthesiologist will discuss all your options on the day of your surgery and develop a plan tailored to your needs.

Is it safe to get a nerve block?

Overall, nerve blocks are very safe. As with any procedure, there are risks and benefits involved. The main benefit of nerve blocks is their ability to provide excellent pain control which means you will need fewer narcotics and other pain medications, all of which, can slow your recovery and cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, and itching. This also means you will recover more quickly and you’ll be able to participate in physical therapy much sooner.
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Risks associated with nerve blocks include, nerve injury, bleeding, infection, soreness, allergic or other reactions, changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and damage to structures surround the nerves (such as the lung and major blood vessels). In order to reduce these risks, we perform our nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance. We also place the nerve blocks before you’re completely asleep, so that you may alert us if you have any painful or uncomfortable sensations. Your vital signs will be monitored during and after the procedure to ensure your safety, too.

What are some of the side effects?

After a nerve block, it’s expected to have numbness or tingling in the area of the block. You may also have muscle weakness. If you had a block for the arm or shoulder you may experience a change to your pupil size (on the side of the block) or drooping of your eyelid (ptosis). This is called Horner’s Syndrome. In addition, a stuffy nose or hoarseness in your throat may occur.
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You may experience mild shortness of breath or feel like you cannot take a deep breath. This is due to the fact that the nerve that goes to the diaphragm is surrounded with numbing medication along with the nerves that go to the arm. This type of sensation is normal and it’ll resolve as your block resolves, too.

What is a nerve catheter?

A nerve catheter is a tiny plastic tube that is inserted next to your nerve(s). It connects to a small ball that infuses numbing medication for 2-4 days after surgery. It allows us to extend the duration of your nerve block and provide assistance with pain control during that time. The catheter will be placed at the time of your nerve block before surgery.

Your nerve catheter allows you to recover more comfortably at home.

How do I care for my nerve catheter?

The catheter will have a clear dressing and some tape to keep it in place. It’s important for you to leave this dressing in place and to avoid getting it wet until it’s time to remove the catheter. The ball that infuses medication will be in a bag you can wear on your shoulder or hip. Try to keep the catheter free of tension and avoid squeezing the ball.

You catheter will be taped in place with clear on white tape. The location of you catheter will depend on the type of block you received.

The ball that holds your numbing medication will kept in a bag with a strap so you can move around easily while you recover.

What are some common issues with nerve catheters?

Leaking: You may have some leakage of fluid around the catheter. This may be clear or may appear to have some blood in it. As long as your pain is under good control, this is nothing to worry about. You may reinforce the dressing over your catheter with tape if needed.

Disconnection: If the small plastic tubing becomes disconnected at the yellow clamp, please call us to discuss your options. We may be able to walk you through reconnecting it, have you come to the hospital for us to help you, or we may suggest you remove the catheter depending on the situation.

This yellow clamp is the most common area for disconnection.

Side Effects: There are some expected and common side effects (see FAQ “What are some of the side effects” above). If you’re experiencing any of these please let us know. In most cases, we can provide reassurance that these are normal side effects, however, if you have concerns about symptoms that are intolerable or worsening, please reach out to us. Additionally, if you’re experiencing unbearable side effects, you can clamp the catheter with the small white clamp (located on the tubing) to stop the flow of medication. In an emergency, call 911 or proceed to an emergency room.

Pain: When you are initially given a nerve block, a strong numbing medication is used that typically makes you very numb. The medication in the pump/ball is less strong for safety reasons. This means that once the initial block wears off you may start to notice less weakness, an increase in sensation, and even slight amounts of pain. This is expected. While your pain may increase somewhat, it should still be tolerable and the nerve catheter will continue to significantly reduce the amount of pain you experience. You’ll be able to take oral pain medications along with the nerve catheter. If you feel your pain is uncontrollable, check the tubing to make sure all clamps are open, that there are no kinks and that no part of the catheter or pump are disconnected. We can help you troubleshoot over the phone and discuss your options if you run into any issues.

Ensure this white clamp is open so that your numbing medication can flow freely.

When and how do I remove my nerve catheter?

When the infusion of medication is complete, the ball will look like an apple core or a flat pancake. At this point, you may remove the catheter. Be sure to wash your hands prior to removal. To remove it, carefully peel back the dressing and loosen the strips of tape over the catheter. Hold the tubing close to the skin and gently pull until the catheter is out of the body. The catheter should slide out easily and it will have a blue tip at the end. If you do not see a blue tip or if it seems difficult to remove, please call us right away. After removal, place a small bandage over the site where the catheter was in place. The tubing and ball can be thrown away.

Your ball will look like this when it is full of numbing medicine.

Your ball will look like this when the infusion is complete. You'll remove it at this point.espacio

After you remove your catheter, you should see that the end has a blue tip.

Who do I contact if I have issues with my nerve catheter?

Each day you have a catheter in place, you’ll be contacted by someone on the anesthesia team to make sure things are going smoothly. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. If an issue or question arises after we contact you for the day, feel free to reach out to us by phone at 704-765-2995.

What if I still have questions?

If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. If you’re a patient with a current nerve block, please use the contact information on your discharge paperwork or give us a call at (704) 765-2995.
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If you haven’t had a nerve block placed at this time, feel free to use the Contact Us link at the top of our webpage. You may also find answers to your questions in the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) patient resource center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is regional anesthesia?

Who will perform the nerve block and/or neuraxial anesthesia?

One of our board certified anesthesiologists will perform these procedures on you.

What can I expect on the day of surgery if I'm getting a peripheral nerve block?

How long does a nerve block last?

Does having a nerve block mean that I'll be awake during surgery?

Is it safe to get a nerve block?

What are some of the side effects?

What is a nerve catheter?

Your nerve catheter allows you to recover more comfortably at home.

How do I care for my nerve catheter?

You catheter will be taped in place with clear on white tape. The location of you catheter will depend on the type of block you received.

The ball that holds your numbing medication will kept in a bag with a strap so you can move around easily while you recover.

What are some common issues with nerve catheters?

This yellow clamp is the most common area for disconnection.

Ensure this white clamp is open so that your numbing medication can flow freely.

When and how do I remove my nerve catheter?

Your ball will look like this when it is full of numbing medicine.

Your ball will look like this when the infusion is complete. You'll remove it at this point.espacio

After you remove your catheter, you should see that the end has a blue tip.

Who do I contact if I have issues with my nerve catheter?

What if I still have questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is regional anesthesia?

Who will perform the nerve block and/or neuraxial
anesthesia?

One of our board certified anesthesiologists will perform these procedures on you.

What can I expect on the day of surgery if I'm getting a
peripheral nerve block?

How long does a nerve block last?

Does having a nerve block mean that I'll be awake
during surgery?

Is it safe to get a nerve block?

What are some of the side effects?

What is a nerve catheter?

Your nerve catheter allows you to recover more comfortably at home.

How do I care for my nerve catheter?

You catheter will be taped in place with clear on white tape. The location of you catheter will depend on the type of block you received.

The ball that holds your numbing medication will kept in a bag with a strap so you can move around easily while you recover.

What are some common issues with nerve
catheters?

This yellow clamp is the most common area for disconnection.

Ensure this white clamp is open so that your numbing medication can flow freely.

When and how do I remove my nerve catheter?

Your ball will look like this when it is full of numbing medicine.

Your ball will look like this when the infusion is complete. You'll remove it at this point.espacio

After you remove your catheter, you should see that the end has a blue tip.

Who do I contact if I have issues with my nerve
catheter?

What if I still have questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is regional anesthesia?

Who will perform the nerve
block and/or neuraxial anesthesia?

One of our board certified anesthesiologists will perform these procedures on you.

What can I expect on the day
of surgery if I'm getting a
peripheral nerve block?

How long does a nerve block last?

Does having a nerve block
mean that I'll be awake
during surgery?

Is it safe to get a nerve block?

What are some of the side
effects?

What is a nerve catheter?

Your nerve catheter allows you to recover more comfortably at home.

How do I care for my nerve
catheter?

You catheter will be taped in place with clear on white tape. The location of you catheter will depend on the type of block you received.

The ball that holds your numbing medication will kept in a bag with a strap so you can move around easily while you recover.

What are some common issues
with nerve catheters?

This yellow clamp is the most common area for disconnection.

Ensure this white clamp is open so that your numbing medication can flow freely.

When and how do I remove
my nerve catheter?

Your ball will look like this when it is full of numbing medicine.

Your ball will look like this when the infusion is complete. You'll remove it at this point.espacio

After you remove your catheter, you should see that the end has a blue tip.

Who do I contact if I have
issues with my nerve catheter?

What if I still have questions?

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