Continuous Nerve Block
The nerve block catheter you have received will slowly infuse local anesthesia (numbing medicine) near the nerves to lower you pain level. There are not any narcotics in the infusion. The numbness will naturally decrease over the first 24 hours, but the block should still be working. Leg Block patients must use a knee brace and crutches to walk Shoulder and arm block patients should sleep upright. If you have difficulty taking a deep breath, decrease or stop the infusion and call the anesthesiologist.
- If you experience side effects such as: ringing in the ears, metallic taste in your mouth, or numbness and tingling around the lips, shortness of breath, dizziness, irregular heart beat, close the white clamp to the pump and call the number below.
- Keep the dressing clean and dry. Do not shower with the catheter in place.
- Do not drive for any reason
- Leaking at the catheter site may occur. It is OK to reinforce with additional tape and gauze.
- Do not cut the catheter for any reason.
If you are having pain:
- Verify the white clamp on the tubing is open
- You may also take your pain medicine, as prescribed by your surgeon
Removal:
- The pain ball must be removed at the scheduled time below. If it stays in longer, it can be an infection risk.
- Patient must lay flat or sit down during removal.
- Remove the catheter by pulling off the dressing and slowly removing the catheter.
- Once removed, check the tip of the catheter to make sure there is a tiny coil at the end. Dispose of catheter.
- If the catheter is stuck, but not causing pain, reposition the back and arms and pull slowly. If the catheter is stuck and causing pain, call the anesthesiologist listed.
For any issues, please call the doctor circled below:
| Dr. Shiraz – 682-231-0305 | Dr. Segan – 469-358-1091 |