Treatment
Peripheral nerve block
Local anaesthetic around nerves can provide strong, targeted pain relief.
What patients can expect
A peripheral nerve block is an image‑guided injection that places local anaesthetic close to a specific nerve or nerve bundle. By temporarily reducing nerve signalling, it can provide strong pain relief and help you move more comfortably for rehabilitation, daily activities, or recovery.
The procedure is tailored to the pain pattern and the target nerve. In some cases, the injection is used diagnostically to confirm a pain source; in others, it is part of treatment planning for chronic pain or peri‑procedural pain control.
You may feel numbness, warmth, or heaviness in the area supplied by the nerve for several hours. It’s important to protect the numb limb, avoid risky activities, and follow aftercare guidance to reduce falls and injury risk.
What is a Peripheral
Nerve Block?
A peripheral nerve block is an image‑guided injection that places local anaesthetic close to specific nerves to numb a target area of the body.
This technique is often used to manage pain during and after surgical procedures, particularly for limbs, and it can also be used for certain head, neck, back, abdominal, collarbone, and hip pain patterns.
Here is an overview of the procedure:
What to Expect From the Procedure
Post‑procedure, most people experience meaningful pain reduction. For some, the full effect develops over the next few hours.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
Immediate Effects
Numbness from the anaesthetic usually lasts several hours depending on the nerve and medication. Tingling or warmth can occur as the block sets in.
Recovery
You will be monitored and can typically go home once stable. Mild soreness or a heavy sensation in the limb may occur as feeling returns.
Follow‑Up
Your clinician will advise on activity progression, limb protection while numb, and when it is safe to drive or return to work.
Benefits of Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Peripheral nerve blocks can offer several benefits, such as:
Effective Pain Control
Provides excellent relief during and after procedures, often reducing the need for systemic pain medication and their side effects such as nausea or drowsiness.
Reduced Recovery Time
Targeted pain relief helps people mobilise earlier and participate in physiotherapy more comfortably.
Decreased Need for General Anaesthesia
In selected cases, nerve blocks can be used with lighter sedation or as an alternative to general anaesthesia, which may be preferable for people with certain medical conditions.
Conditions Treated with Peripheral
Nerve Blocks
Postoperative Pain
Nerve blocks can help manage pain after surgery, supporting earlier movement and recovery with reduced discomfort for some patients.
Neuropathy
Targeted blocks may be used in selected cases for nerve‑related pain patterns affecting the arms, legs, or face.
Shoulder & Rotator Cuff
Pain
In shoulder procedures and certain shoulder pain patterns, nerve blocks can reduce pain and improve comfort for early rehabilitation.
Hip & Lower Limb Pain
Nerve blocks may support pain control for hip and lower‑limb procedures and selected pain patterns, depending on the target nerve.
Risks and Side Effects
While generally safe, peripheral nerve blocks do carry some risks, including:
- Bruising or bleeding at the injection site.
- Temporary nerve symptoms, like hoarseness or blurred vision (depending on the nerve targeted).
- Rare but serious risks like infection, nerve damage, or complications if local anaesthetic enters the bloodstream.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks FAQ
Peripheral nerve blocks are used to manage pain during and after procedures, and for selected chronic pain patterns. By reducing nerve signalling for a period of time, they can improve comfort and support movement and rehabilitation.
Peripheral nerve block: technique, benefits, steps, risks, and recovery
Peripheral nerve blocks are performed under imaging guidance (most commonly ultrasound) to improve accuracy and safety. Your clinician will explain which nerve is targeted, what level of numbness is expected, and how long the effect usually lasts.
Technique (how it works)
A thin needle is guided to the target area next to the nerve, and a local anaesthetic solution is injected. The medication temporarily blocks nerve signal conduction, reducing pain and—depending on the nerve—possibly causing short‑term numbness or weakness in the region supplied by that nerve.
Medical benefits
- Targeted pain relief that can reduce the need for systemic medication for some patients.
- Helps participation in physiotherapy and functional rehabilitation.
- Can support diagnosis by confirming whether a specific nerve is driving symptoms.
- Outpatient procedure with minimal skin disruption and fast recovery for most people.
Procedural steps
- Clinical assessment and confirmation of the target nerve or region.
- Consent, safety checks, and monitoring when appropriate.
- Skin cleaning and local anaesthetic at the injection site.
- Imaging guidance to position the needle safely next to the nerve.
- Careful injection and short observation period before discharge.
Risks and complications
- Temporary soreness, bruising, or bleeding at the injection site.
- Temporary numbness or weakness that can increase falls or injury risk if precautions are not followed.
- Infection (uncommon) and nerve irritation (usually temporary).
- Allergic reaction or local anaesthetic toxicity (rare; clinicians use safety protocols to reduce risk).
Preparation and aftercare
- Bring a medication list and discuss blood thinners, diabetes medicines, and allergies in advance.
- Arrange transport if sedation is used or if limb numbness could affect driving.
- Protect the numb area from heat, cold, and injury until sensation returns.
- Seek medical review for increasing redness, swelling, fever, or worsening neurological symptoms.
Recovery timeline
Numbness typically lasts hours depending on the medication used. Mild soreness can occur for 24–48 hours. Many people resume light activities the same or next day, and rehabilitation can be planned around the expected window of pain relief.
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