Side effects
The nerves are anaesthetized using a local anaesthetic. As a result, in very rare cases of allergies to the drugs used, intolerance reactions can occur, which in the worst case end in circulatory shock. This can be partly counteracted by informing the doctor before treatment about known allergies.
After the end of the blockade, it is possible that a loss of strength, which is usually reversible, as well as insensitivity to touch may temporarily persist. For this reason, if the procedure is to be performed on an outpatient basis, one should ideally be accompanied by a person, as it is no longer allowed to actively participate in traffic. During the injection of local anesthetics, blood vessels may be damaged.
This can result in an internal bruise on the nerve, which can push it off or injure it, which in turn can lead in the best case to reversible insensitivity or discomfort in the supply area of the nerve. The danger of this risk increases with the intake of blood-thinning medications, such as ASS, Marcumar or Eliquis (Apixaban), which for this reason should be discontinued by the attending physician a few days before a planned intervention. Since there are accompanying vessels near the nerves, there is a risk of injecting the local anesthetic into them.
This can lead to problems with the cardiovascular system and even cardiac arrest. This complication can be avoided, however, by the doctor performing the procedure creating negative pressure in the syringe by pulling on it after the needle has been inserted, and blood can be seen in the syringe if a vessel has been punctured. The doctor would now reposition the needle.By piercing the skin, bacteria can get into the puncture site and cause an infection if the skin disinfection has not been carried out properly.
In the worst case, a so-called abscess, a purulent bacterial encapsulation, forms, which can push off and damage the surrounding nerves/the surrounding nerve. As a preventive measure, thorough disinfection is very important. However, this risk is particularly high in the case of a prolonged nerve blockage, where a small catheter is inserted to transport the drug to the nerve(s), for example in the case of postoperative pain therapy. If infection and/or abscess formation occurs, this requires antibiotic and possibly surgical treatment. Finally, there is also the risk of direct and, in the worst case, permanent damage to the nerve by the needle.
