How Long Does a Nerve Block For Foot Surgery Last?
When undergoing foot surgery, nerve blocks are frequently administered to provide pain relief. While the Ankle nerve block provides short-term pain relief, the Popliteal nerve block gives longer-lasting analgesia. While both types of nerve blocks can temporarily paralyse the foot, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Here are the pros and cons of each type. Also, read on to learn about how they work and how long they last.
Ankle block provides short lasting pain relief
Ankle block for foot surgery provides short-term pain relief without the risks associated with general anesthesia. The sural and saphenous nerves innervate the lateral aspect of the foot. The sural nerve arises from the tibial branch. The superficial peroneal nerve is located on the common peroneal bone, and the deep peroneal nerve is located in the web space between the first and second toes.
The procedure is done using a combination of 5 injections around the foot and ankle. The patient is given medicine to sedate him or her beforehand, and the injection will only occur when the patient is sufficiently sedated. The procedure is short-term and does not leave the patient with any recollection of it. However, there is a chance that some side effects may occur, especially if the patient has diabetes.
Popliteal fossa block provides longer lasting analgesia
The lateral approach to the popliteal fossa offers better results than the common peroneal nerve sheath. The sciatic nerve is not surrounded by a tissue sheath, making large-volume injections into the popliteal nerve more successful. The sciatic nerve has two components, the lateral and medial branches. A single popliteal nerve block is not associated with systemic toxicity or vascular punctures.
Using a continuous popliteal fossa block for foot surgery reduces postoperative readmissions and reduces pain after the procedure. The technique has been used in various foot and ankle surgeries, including ligament and Achilles tendon repair, ankle arthroscopy, and hardware removal. While popliteal nerve block does have some limitations, it has been successfully used as the sole anesthetic in a variety of outpatient procedures.
Ankle block can permanently paralyse foot after surgery
The use of an ankle block is a well-established analgesic technique for foot surgery. This procedure provides adequate anesthesia for the foot and ankle, but is unsatisfactory in cases where the leg is immobilized with a tourniquet. Furthermore, it can result in complications due to limited patient adaptation and reduced re-ambulation after surgery. In many countries, however, general anesthesia is the preferred method for foot surgery. Ankle block may be used as an adjuvant to general anesthesia to provide postoperative analgesia and control acute surgical pain. It is also superior to opioids as a postoperative analgesic for the foot.
This procedure may cause complications, but these complications are rare and transient. CPSP after an ankle block is not as dangerous as general anesthesia. A single injection of local anesthetic and tourniquet application may result in a transient nerve paralysis, and this usually resolves spontaneously within three weeks. Although this method of surgery is relatively safe, there is no guarantee that it will not result in permanent foot paralysis.
