Peripheral Nerve Blocks | Pain Managment

What are Peripheral Nerve Blocks?

Peripheral nerve blocks, otherwise known as PNB, are a commonly used surgical anesthesia. It has shown great success when used in both postoperative and nonsurgical analgesia. They offer many benefits over general anesthesia, often called neuraxial. PNBs are injected near a cluster of nerves in a particular area of the body. The injection area is close to the area that needs to be numbed.

How is the Procedure Performed?

Many of these procedures are performed with x-rays and ultrasound guidance. Our physicians are highly trained and have experience in using these approaches to guide them to the correct area safely. They can accurately pinpoint the region they need to target.

The ultrasound shows real-time mapping of the tangled nerves that the physician must maneuver through. Using the ultrasound or x-rays improves the procedures performance and increases the overall success rate. It has also been known to reduce complications, and the amount of medication that is needed.

What to Consider Post Treatment

PNBs are excellent for postoperative pain. They have proven to be exceptional to those who have experienced shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, and arm or hand surgery. The use of peripheral nerve blocks is widely accepted. The chances of any complications are small. However, those with obesity, sleep apnea, advanced age or pulmonary disease may be compromised. They are often used as a method of pain management for those with chronic pain conditions. A short term block will only last for a few hours, but a neurolytic block can be used to help the severe pain for months at a time. For some cases, the pain can be blocked indefinitely.