Nerve blocks, which interrupt and prevent chemical signals of pain from reaching nerves in a specific area, are being successfully performed for arm and leg procedures, as well as breast cancer surgery, kidney stone removal, hernia correction, vascular surgery, hip replacement surgery and orthopedic trauma.
Benefits include no loss of consciousness, more precise anesthesia administration, less nausea and itching, shorter recovery times, less post-surgical pain medication and a more direct approach to blocking surgical pain.
However, side effects of nerve blocks include risk of inflammation and allergic reaction, risk of fluid retention, blood sugar and blood pressure fluctuations, post-surgery mood swings, bleeding in patients on anticoagulants and nerve tissue damage or destruction in the numbed area.
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