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Peripheral Nerve Block - After the Procedure

What Should I Expect After the Procedure?

Initially, you may experience several hours of pain relief as a result of the local anesthetic. After that time the pain will return. If steroids are used, it may take 7 to 10 days for the anti-inflammatory effect of the steroid to be effective and for you to experience pain relief.

  • You may experience soreness or a feeling of fullness at the injection site.
  • You may experience muscle spasms.
  • You may experience a neck ache or backache.
  • Your blood pressure may decrease or increase.
  • You may feel increased warmth of the upper or lower extremity.
  • You may feel some numbness or tingling of the upper or lower extremity.
  • The affected area may be numb for a few hours and should be protected from injury.

Post-procedure instructions

These will be provided for you, in further detail, by the recovery room nurse prior to your discharge from the Ambulatory Surgery Center. These instructions should include; no driving or operating machinery for 24 hours after the procedure. This is recommended because the intravenous medication given during the procedure may impair your ability to safely perform tasks. A Pain Clinic follow up appointment should be scheduled.

What should I do if any problems develop after I leave the Surgery Center?

If you have any questions after the procedure, the medical staff of the Pain Management Clinic is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During normal business hours you can reach either a physician or nurse by calling 650-723-6238. After hours, the physician on call can be reached by calling the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ page operator at 650-723-6661.