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Skip to content Skip to search Skip to footer Department of Anesthesiology Open Menu Back Close Menu Search for: Search Close Search Home Patient CarePatient Care For PatientsFor Patients Common Patient Questions about Nerve Blocks Center for Preoperative Assessment and Planning (CPAP) Pain Management Center Research Opportunities Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology DivisionCardiothoracic Anesthesiology Division Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA) Fellowship Dual CCM/ACTA Fellowship Overview Current &＃038; Alumni Fellows Critical Care DivisionCritical Care Division Fellowship Overview Letter From Fellowship Program Leadership Fellowship Application Information Fellowship Interview Information Advanced Practice Provider (APP) – Critical Care Medicine Contact Us General AnesthesiaGeneral Anesthesia Abdominal Organ Transplant Fellowship Subspecialties in General Anesthesia Fellowship Application Information Obstetric AnesthesiaObstetric Anesthesia Fellowship Application Information Pain ManagementPain Management Pain Medicine Fellowship  Adult &＃038; Pediatric Pain Dual Fellowship  Current &＃038; Alumni Fellows Fellowship Application Information Pediatric AnesthesiologyPediatric Anesthesiology Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship Fellowship Application Information Current Fellows &＃038; Alumni Faculty and Staff Perioperative MedicinePerioperative Medicine Perioperative Care Center for Preoperative Assessment and Planning (CPAP) Our Team Regional and Ambulatory AnesthesiaRegional and Ambulatory Anesthesia Fellowship Overview Fellowship Application Information Current &＃038; Alumni Fellows Past Fellows Our Faculty Contact Us Trauma Anesthesiology Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) EducationEducation ResidencyResidency Application Information Training Programs Didactic Curriculum Transitioning to Anesthesia Salary &＃038; Benefits Meet Our Residents Finding a Job Alumni Fellowships Physician-Scientist Development Simulation Centers About St. Louis ResearchResearch Division of Basic Research Division of Clinical and Translational Research (DoCTR)Division of Clinical and Translational Research (DoCTR) DoCTR Newsletter Yellow Phase Ramp-Up Concerns Resources for DoCTR Faculty, Trainee, and staff members Resources for DoCTR Trainees Resources for DoCTR Staff Members Clinical Studies in DoCTR DoCTR TeamDoCTR Team Become a DoCTR Member Washington University Pain Center Center for Clinical Pharmacology INQUIRIINQUIRI The INQUIRI Team INQUIRI’s Approach Working with INQUIRI Publications Contact Us Our CultureOur Culture Diversity, Equity, &＃038; Inclusion Employee Health &＃038; WellnessEmployee Health &＃038; Wellness Health &＃038; Wellness NewsletterHealth &＃038; Wellness Newsletter Health &＃038; Wellness Newsletter Archive Submit a Health &＃038; Wellness Resource Professional Development Peers in Anesthesiology Supporting a Fair Environment Women of WUDA Employee Recognition Hub Our Team GivingGiving How to Give Department Payroll Deduction Jennifer Cole International Education Initiative Endowment FundJennifer Cole International Education Initiative Endowment Fund Jennifer Cole Fund Payroll Deduction AboutAbout Welcome from the Chair News Events Job Opportunities Contact Us Open Search Common Patient Questions about Nerve Blocks What is a nerve block?Why should I have a nerve block?Is a nerve block safe?Will having a nerve block hurt?Will I be awake during the operation?How long will the nerve block last?How is the block done?How long will the block take?Will I get the nerve block in the operating room?If I don’t have the block, will I have pain?Do I have the right to refuse the block? What is a Nerve Block?A nerve block is the injection of numbing medication (local anesthetic) near specific nerves to decrease your pain in a certain part of your body during and after surgery.  For specific types of surgery, your anesthesiologist may place a “nerve catheter,” which may be used to continuously bathe the nerves in numbing medication for 2-3 days after the surgery.  A nerve block is not for everyone and your anesthesiologist will evaluate whether it is the right option for you. Back to Questions Why should I have a nerve block?A nerve block decreases your pain during and after surgery.  It is more effective than pain medications through the IV.  Because you have less pain, you will need less oral or IV pain medications, even though you have the medications available to you.  You will have fewer side effects of pain medications, such as respiratory depression, itching, nausea, and somnolence.  In addition, you may be able to avoid a general anesthesia.   Sometimes, a nerve block is done in addition to a general anesthesia for pain relief after the surgery. Back to Questions Is a nerve block safe?Like general anesthesia, nerve blocks involve some minor risks. The risk of infection is very low as the procedure is done in a sterile manner.  There is an extremely low risk (<0.1%) of injury to nerves, and this is usually temporary. Back to Questions Will having a nerve block hurt?Nerve blocks involve placing a needle smaller than an IV near the nerves that supply the part of your body being operated on. We give all patients sedating medicine when we do the nerve block to help you relax. Back to Questions Will I be awake during the operation?After a nerve block, the part of your body that will be operated on will be numb. Many times it is your choice to be as awake or asleep as you want. You never get to see the surgery itself because a large sterile drape is always placed between you and the surgeon. Back to Questions How long will the nerve block last?This depends on the type of block performed and the type of numbing medication used. For example, nerve blocks for hand surgery usually last for 6-8 hours, but a nerve block for pain after total knee replacement can last for 12-24 hours. Medication continuously delivered through a tiny plastic tube (nerve catheter) placed next to the nerve can last for 2-3 days. Back to Questions How is the block done?At BJC, the nerve block is done predominantly under ultrasound guidance, which is the most modern technique.  This technique allows us to see the needle direction and local anesthetic injection in “real time”. Back to Questions How long will the block take?Usually a single nerve block takes 5-10 minutes to do. It takes another 15-20 minutes to start working fully. We always make sure the block is working before you go into the operating room.  Again, you will be given some sedation medicine to help you relax when we do the block. Back to Questions Will I get the nerve block in the operating room?No. We do the nerve blocks in the pre-operative area before your surgery. This lets you have the block done in a quiet place before you are moved to the operating room for surgery. Back to Questions If I don’t have the block, will I have pain?We will use IV opiates (morphine-like drugs) to control your pain during and after surgery.  These drugs have side effects and may or may not be as effective as a nerve block.  IV pain medications will be available to you even if you have a nerve block for break through pain. Back to Questions Do I have the right to refuse the block?Yes. We can only tell you about your options. We will advise you to have surgery with a nerve block if we think it provides the best anesthetic conditions with the least side effects.  In some rare situations, general anesthesia may be riskier compared to having surgery with a nerve block. In these specific cases, we would strongly advise you to have a nerve block for surgery. 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