“How is a nerve block done for hand surgery?”

Local nerve blocks all the time are done in the hand or finger. Typically the surgeon will inject a very small amount of local anesthetic just below the skin in one area and then gently and gradually expand that area of numbness until the desired effect is reached. We often do this without even any sedation for many patients who have soft tissue hand surgery and finger or hand fracture surgery. Regional blocks in the axilla (armpit ) or supraclavicular ( above the collar bone ) are done usually by an anesthesiologist.

Local anesthetic is injected around the nerves which supply sensation to the surgical site so that the area does not feel any pain.

Harrison B. Solomon, M.D.
Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Montgomery Orthopaedics Division

301-949-8100

HOOK SPLINT
www.Hooksplint.com

In most cases, a nerve block is performed before your surgery, using ultrasound guidance, by an anesthesiologist. If you will be having a nerve block, you will likely also have some intravenous sedation during the procedure. Good luck.