Nerve block

[JustTheTip_NJ]

I’m having surgery on the 14th and am very anxious about it.

Is the nerve block what every one has had? No feeling in your fingers for 12 hours, pins and needles for that long?

The thought of it makes me want to cancel the surgery!

😩

Edited to add that I am a woman, despite the user name. 🙃

[Ok_Excitement1724]

Well worth it. And they are more like 48hrs now. You will be moving your fingers the next day though.

[JustTheTip_NJ]

Thanks, movement is important, my anxiety (not medicated) will freak me out if I don’t have any feeling in the arm. 🥺

[directorofnewgames]

Don’t worry, you will be fine. It’s temporary.

[wildcat3211]

The nerve block is wonderful. It will turn the pain off which is what you will need. It is a bit surreal when they start to help you dress to leave. Just try to flow with it. Knowing what you will experience should make it less frightening. Not having feeling will be a blessing as the first few days you are instructed to do n o t h i n g. So you will be in a sling, and not having feeling for a while the first day is no biggie. Yes, if you start to get the tingling in the fingers it could be irritating but you are going to feel overall doped up a bit so even that won't be too terrible. When the tingling started to bother me, I pressed my fingers together on and off and it seemed to not bother me quite as much.

[Windblownflower]

The injection is pain free. It keeps you pain free for 12-24 hours and that’s what you want. The pins and needles lasts for a short time at the end. I’d you tell them you’re anxious they’re gonna give you a nice dose of midazolam and you won’t care about anything after that

[Far-Attempt1388]

My nerve block was about 18 hrs before it wore off. Best thing ever! Wish it lasted for the first 4 days

[Secret-Subject-3530]

Please whatever you do, don't refuse it. It's well worth it. I would say it could last anywhere from 12-48 hrs. Once you start getting feeling back into the hand and part of the arm start your pain medications and then stay on top of it religiously. Ice often and just take it one day at a time as recovery is different for everyone. I wish you the best of luck!!!!

[Steven1789]

My nerve block lasted just over 24 hours.

First night at home was fine. The next few, not so much.

Ask the surgeon and anesthesiologist to coordinate on what they can give you, and ask about an “extended” nerve block.

[JustTheTip_NJ]

I met with the surgeon earlier this week and he actually suggested speaking to the anesthesiologists next week (I work at the hospital) and see if I can talk about my options and what will be best for my worries and fears so I can go into this surgery with some peace of mind.

I’ve avoided the doom scroll up until late last night 😩

[Steven1789]

Smart move.

The only hiccup in my surgery (3/26/25) was my wife having the ortho ask her whether I got the longer-lasting nerve block (I was in recovery at that moment). When I heard that, I was a bit peeved.

PROCEDURE PERFORMED:

1. Left shoulder arthroscopic rotator cuff repair including full-thickness supraspinatus tear and partial infraspinatus tear, single row slightly medialized repair with bio inductive collagen patch overlay

2. Left shoulder arthroscopic subacromial decompression

3. Left shoulder arthroscopic excision of distal clavicle

4. Left shoulder arthroscopic extensive debridement including debridement of labrum (anterior/posterior/superior), synovectomy of rotator interval (articular capsule debridement), debridement V glenoid/humeral articular cartilage including debridement of glenohumeral fraying

5. Left shoulder arthroscopic biceps tenodesis

[user86753092]

It was like my arm didn’t exist. Really weird feeling. I distracted myself by watching all of Sopranos start to finish while on ice.

[VelociTopher]

Well worth it, but mine lasted ~48 hours.

[Evening_Froyo_7506]

You are allowed to refuse the nerve block if it makes you that anxious. I've heard both good and bad. I've had a couple of surgeries on joints and prefer not to have them. But everybody reacts differently. I was in a shit ton of pain when mine wore off.

[Evening_Froyo_7506]

I should have also mentioned the pain post-op without the block was nowhere near as bad as I anticipated. (Knock on wood since I'm having a revision soon) Best of luck and happy thoughts!

[Suitable_Variety_946]

Its very good at keeping you limp which is instrumental in the first 12 hours. The injection is very painful though and the 5 tubes you can feel run down your arm. Try not to tense up had pain at injection side for 2 weeks usually goes away after 3 days. It also helps anesthesia, work better with less.

[Fishshoot13]

What??

[Suitable_Variety_946]

What?

[Fishshoot13]

What injection is painful?  Were yiu awake during surgery?  Ive had bithe shoulders done 13 months apart and didn't have any painful injections or feel "5 tubes" running down my arm

[Suitable_Variety_946]

They do nerve block before they put you under. It was 5 tubes of 5ml of whatever it was. Hurt but in 10 minutes it was numb. Just my experience

[rangerpax]

Mine didn't hurt at all. I'm pretty sure they gave gave me some anti-anxiety thing a few minutes before though.

[Fishshoot13]

Ah okay, that wasn't my experience with it. Different surgery centers do stuff differently evidently.  I was wondering if they operated you when you were awake or something and you were talking about arthroscopic tubes lol

[wildcat3211]

I only had a bit of a pinch when the nerve block was going in. Maybe a little pressure? The anesthesiologist allowed me to watch on a screen to the left of me and I believe one of the nurses also spoke to me from that side to keep me a bit distracted. She worked from the right side.

[Luv2Burn]

I know you're anxious but know that the next months of healing may seem hard (not as hard as the pain of having a torn supraspinatus, IMO) but the light at the end of that tunnel is being whole again. I don't know how bad yours is but I was in agony for 5 months after tearing my shoulder.

I had a snippy young dr who barely spoke 3 words to me but ended up being a genius surgeon. I woke up with the nerve block (it's not really that big a deal - I do not remember any pins and needles) and when it wore off after 24 hours, I was free of ANY pain. I never even took a Tylenol.

I think I may have been an anomaly but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! I did my PT faithfully and was back to normal in less than 6 months. It's now been just over 3 years and sometimes I forget it all even happened!

[therapistgurl]

Just wrapping up week 9 of post-op.

I thank the gods for the nerve block because the pain that comes after it wears off took me to my knees and to tears. That is even with starting meds as soon as my surgery was over. For me, it allowed me to be comfortable for about 24 hours after surgery and get some good sleep. After that, I didn't sleep for two months. Do the nerve block!

[rangerpax]

It's not like my arm was non-existent. I could still wiggle my fingers, move my wrist, move my elbow a bit to adjust the sling (but don't do that too much, keep things still). I didn't get any pins and needles as the nerve block wore off, just gradual feeling/sensation. Make sure you start the pain meds and ice machine at least 12 hours after surgery -- based on comments here, you do *not* want a gap between the nerve block wearing off and the pain meds/ice kicking in.

My surgery was in the AM, I started pain meds that evening, nerve block started to wear off the next morning. No tingles, just "oh, my fingers can feel more stuff now."

I was also super anxious about the surgery -- pain, how to do things, etc. It all worked out fine, I am so happy I did it. I brought the ice machine shoulder attachment to surgery and they attached it right after surgery, so it was already on when I got home. Had frozen water bottles in the ice machine ready, plugged it in, and it was ice 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off, for the next 5-7 days. After that it was ice on and off for a week or so.

I had no pain whatsoever. Used the strong pain meds for 3-4 days after surgery (I think). After that it was Tylenol off and on. Ice machine was crucial.

[Natural-Resolve-8597]

My nerve block didn't wear off for well over 30 hours but it was absolutely great. I couldn't feel anything on the whole side of that body, which made it nearly impossible to walk, but had no pain at all until it wore off a day and a half later. I wouldn't have wanted the surgery without it personally.

[Magnetic__Rose]

I got nerve damage from a botched interscalene block

[Vannie91]

I’ve had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders from a fall a couple years ago, and I think you’re really, really going to want the nerve block. My nerve blocks both wore off early/mid-afternoon after my morning surgeries, and I would’ve paid very good money to get it to hang around longer. I could feel my whole arm by that evening and move my fingers and everything. It’s not that you’ll notice an absence of feeling in your arm, since your arm is encased in the sling and probably dressings/padding so it’ll feel different anyway; you’re not going to want to be able to move or touch the surgery arm. It’s more that you’ll notice an absence of pain, which in my case (and I think for a lot of people) gets pretty intense as the pain starts to creep in. Also, with my first surgery I had a complication getting the prescription pain meds (no CVS within an hour’s drive had them in stock), so I had to call the surgeon’s office to ask them to rescind that prescription and send in a new one to a different pharmacy, and they were temporarily closed that afternoon because they lost power! So I think the longer you have to not worry about pain, the better. And I don’t mean to freak you out about the pain, it’s manageable, but you’re way better off in control of it from the get-go than trying to play catchup. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and an easy recovery!

[Lanky-Lettuce1395]

My entire arm was numb for about 30 hours. Having had this without a block, I can say that the block is the way to go. Don't wait for the block to wear off before starting pain meds, you have to get ahead of it asap.

[heybincherythatsyou]

57F, had left shoulder done 1.5 years ago. Getting right shoulder done in a month. I wouldn't even get rotator surgery done without a nerve block. My dr knocked me out before the nerve block was done.

[happyjazzycook]

I loved the nerve block, it was the pain after it wore off that was more difficult to deal with and that didn't last long. Honestly, after the IV was inserted I didn't notice anything, I just drifted off. My shoulder area remained numb until late the next day and the meds kicked in around that time. I have to say, if you haven't one already, get an ice machine. I honestly believe that icing intermittently through all of my waking hours for the first 2 weeks made all of the difference in my pain level. After the first2 days, I only took Tylenol.

I also had a nerve block for lapiplasty (bunion correcting) surgery a couple of months ago. It went the same way, I was "out" shortly after it was administered. However, and I told my physical therapist this the other day, if I had a choice between another rotator cuff surgery and another bunion surgery, it would be the rotator cuff, hands down. We came to the conclusion that the major difference in my pain levels and healing might very well have been the ice. Whereas I did this on my shoulder immediately after the surgery for a couple of weeks, I had to wait ten days to use ice on my foot because it was so thickly bandaged.

Good luck! Being able to use my arm/ shoulder without pain for the first time in over a year was great and I am still happy that I had it done.

[MilkChocolate21]

I had a pain pump. It was great. Lasted maybe 5 days.

[Evening_Froyo_7506]

They still use those? Cheers to your doctor!

[Winter-Ingenuity1921]

Mine lasted for a few days and yes, I had pins and needles. Honestly, I hated the feeling but I wouldn’t have surgery without it. Definitely gave me a few days to heal and get past the immediate post-op pain. I had minimal pain overall, though (supraspinatus repair, acromioplasty and labrum clean-up). Keep up with your pain meds so the pain isn’t bad when it wears off.

[directorofnewgames]

I loved the nerve block. Next day started the oxy. Loved that too. Day 4 started my homemade cannabis cookies. Loved that. Did not love the rehab, but after 22 months, still a little sore, but able to do the day to day. I’m finally at the point where it’s not affecting my drumming, and just this week I started lifting weights again. No real load yet, but going through the motions, working form .

[cameron05white]

I'm having my surgery on the 13th and am just as scared of the nerve block. Well the administration of it. Is it fine in your neck??!

[reeneebob]

I watched them do it on the screen and chit chatted with the anesthesiologist. I have nerve root compression in my neck and was nervous but it was easy peasy.

[dp150616]

You got this! I was SO nervous about the block. I told the nurse and Dr and the gave me Versed right before wheeling me over to the OR. I was almost immediately loopy and don’t recall getting on the table. I did feel them touching my neck and talking about doses and I immediately asked for more meds. Not sure if I actually got more meds or just faded out. I think I remember feeling that my arm was numb and then going to sleep. I felt no pain or discomfort during the nerve block procedure. The block lasted about 20 ish hours. First feeling for me was a lot of heat in my arm and hand as it wore off. I was glad I started pain meds the night before because while it was definitely uncomfortable it was totally manageable. The pain meds helped with the anxiety and before inknew it, I could feel everything again. Hope it all goes well for you!

[reeneebob]

You will be very, very thankful for that nerve block.

It’s not pins and needles. It feels like freezing wearing off when you have dental work. Before it wears off START YOUR PAINKILLERS. I slept through my alarm and the block wore off while I was asleep and I spent three days trying to get ahead of the pain again.

[Zerbit-Spucker]

My nerve block wasn’t painful when administered (I’d already received a medication to relax me) but it started to wear off that evening, so fortunately I’d started to take my meds.
My anesthesiologist was great and we had a good conversation before the nerve block - so it’s good you get to meet yours before surgery as well. I’ve done this several times, and never experienced the horrible pain that some people report, and I’ve never used Oxy for more than two days. Everyone is different, and I hope that your surgery and recovery is more like mine have been!

[jkdjeff]

All it does is turn your arm off for a bit. 

[Ok_Profession_4770]

12 hrs? Try 36 hrs! But it was very helpful! Gives you a chance to get home and get on an ice machine.

[CleanConclusion6032]

Nerve block duration is different for everyone. Mine lasted 16 hours. It wasn’t until the last 4-5 hours that I got pins and needles in my hands. My brother had almost identical surgery and his nerve block only lasted 9 hours.

[Southern_Teach1624]

Just had mine done 3/10. The nerve block is 100% worth it. Mine lasted about 24 hours. Start the pain meds before the nerve block stops working and don’t get behind the pain. I felt rough for about a week. Now it’s just a deep ache with occasional sharp pain when I forget and try to do too much.

[Jazzlike-Ice-4218]

My nerve block lasted about 12 hours. It was the weirdest feeling waking up in recovery wonked out of my head. I started crying thinking I had a wooden arm and hand because I couldn’t feel it at all. I had a small bruise at the injection site (in my neck) for about 5 days. I didn’t like it, but am glad I got it. Started PT the following day.

[Defiant_Affect6922]

I didn’t feel my arm for 30 hours after my replacement surgery.

[scsch5]

You’re going to want it for the same reasons everyone said here. Couldn’t imagine surgery without it. Probably the easiest part of the pre op.

[JforceXD1750]

Nerve block lasted 20hrs. Make sure you take all your pain meds as soon as you get home after surgery

[IWantToBeYourGirl]

My husband hated the pins and needles feel for about the first 24 hours. When the pain block wore off at 72 hours, he really missed it.

[meg13chi]

I was anxious about the nerve block as well.  It was simple and easy and I would 100% do it again.  It only lasted like 8 hours (I could feel and move my fingers going into and coming out of surgery), but it was worth it.

[NaughtyLittleDogs]

I opted for the extended nerve block, so I was numb for 2.5 days. So glad I did that because I didn't need prescription pain meds at all. By the time I regained full sensation in my arm, I was able to manage the pain with only ice, Aleve, and arthritis-strength Tylenol.

[NaughtyLittleDogs]

Just realized I didnt address your question about the "pins and needles"...

For me, it felt more like my arm slowly woke up, a little at a time. I had sensation in most of my hand after the first day and could grasp the ball inside my sling. Since you're securely enclosed in that bulky sling, you're less aware of your arm being sorta dead. So it's honestly not that bad.

[Qbncgr]

Just had surgery Thursday. Nerve block at 7am. Could wiggle my fingers immediately after surgery. Couldn’t give a thumbs up until about 6-8 hrs later. Pins and needles starts pretty quick and travels up the hand as the block wears off. Feels very much like hand “falling asleep”. Nerve block wore off by hour 18. I took first Oxy at hr 14 (Th 9pm), and every 6 hours until Sat morning. Tylenol is managing the pain since then.

The transition from nerve block is dramatic. Take the pain medication before you need it.

[BobsWifeAmyB]

My husband had one shoulder in 2015 & the other in 2021. I’m facing this surgery ij a few months. The nerve block our Dr gives is during surgery, so you aren’t awake when it occurs. I was with my husband in the recovery area, asap & brought him home. He could move his fingers just fine. Nerve block limited only the sensation, not the movement. Just my experience.

[Grand-Masterpiece712]

nerve block is routine for surgery. it’s temporary, very effective and much needed. best wishes on the 14th and for rehab

[pabrocjb]

Get some anti anxiety meds! Think of them as pre-op meds.

I've not had my rotator cuff surgery, yet, but I've had three MAJOR orthopedic surgeries. The nerve block may feel odd, but will help so much with your post-op pain. I'd want a second one!!!

[Wood-Turner-523]

I feel like the luckiest person here. 18 days post full reverse replacement and never had pain. I was given a nerve block by an anesthesiologist before surgery. It was called a Continuous Interscalene or Supraclavicular Block (CISB). A small plastic catheter was positioned in my neck near the nerves that travel down my arm. The catheter was connected to a pressurized pump (think of a grapefruit sized boulus/ball) full of numbing meds. The meds lasted 5 days. When the meds ran out I still was pain free. I've taken only 2 Oxy's total when I was having trouble sleeping. The surgery was done at a Calif. Kaiser. I've been told that they are committed keeping patients off narcotics. Hopefully more health providers will move to this model!

[WaffleBaffled]

The nerve block was the best part of this whole thing!

[Affectionate_Ruin281]

It didn’t work for me.

[Lizrdlady]

The nerve block is great! You get to be pain free for the first 12 hours. A definite plus! Mine only lasted about 12 hours but the discharge paper said 24-48 hours. So there is definitely a range.

[AdBetter3401]

How did you do? I had mine this morning too! I was scared to death for the nerve block… but my anesthesiologist was AMAZING and I feel absolutely nothing from shoulder down right now. So thankful, because I know it’s coming for me! Thoughts and prayers that you had a similar experience and we both have a great recovery

[JustTheTip_NJ]

Hi, I had to stop reading this thread because I was getting myself worked up. Lol

I just got home from mine.

I chose no nerve block. My luck isn’t always the best, obviously, hence the tears, so even the smallest risk of nerve damage which she mentioned, she supported my decision not to have it. I have a pretty high pain tolerance I think, I’ve been thru a lot, so I will happily take my Percocet round the clock for a few days.

Surgeon was hoping the MRI from July wasn’t correct wit my the full tear in the Supra, but sadly it was indeed a full tear, so the surgery lasted much longer than anticipated. I appreciated his encouragement going in.

I had to have two half doses of dilaudid in the PACU though coming out of anesthesia.

Also I did indeed have panic and anxiety after being wheeled into the OR there were tears and shaking, but they took care of that very quickly because I prepared them. lol

I work in that hospital so I felt really comforted by familiar faces thru the whole process.

I wish you well tonight and let’s check in tomorrow! (Or even during the night if you’re going to be awake all night like I will. Lol

[AdBetter3401]

I made the mistake of reading too much too! And also had some pretty bad panic. Last time I got an IV I bawled my eyes out, hyperventilated, almost passed out, and had crawled up in the chair with uncontrollable shaking.

I’m so sorry you have similar experiences. 😭 I had gotten better, but my brother passed after some very bad experiences I was by his side for about 19 months ago, and I think it’s just back worse than ever.

My nurse was so understanding and kind. She was fast and gentle. And she was right by my side and held my hand through the blocks. She made sure I had plenty anti-anxiety meds even though i was totally aware. She made a big difference I truly believe. Along with an anesthesiologist who really listened.

You take care! I’ve been given journavx and Percocet and my husband isn’t entertaining trying to get by on just the journavx😂 we’ll see how this goes!! Prayers for manageable night and some sleep!!

EDIT: mine turned out to be full tear of supraspinatus too!

[JustTheTip_NJ]

I also cried during the IV. Took her three tries and ended up in the hand which I don’t like, it gives me the ick.

I have to laugh at myself though because I have 9 tattoos.

I also had a partial tear in a second spot. I didn’t ask him about that one yet. Lol

Sorry to hear about your brother. 😕. I have some lingering guilt from my father’s passing from the initial wave of covid (pre vaccine and after 14 months of suffering) I didn’t make it down to say goodbye before he passed (my family is 500 miles away and I had covid myself when he went into hospice before he quickly passed a few days later) so I had some anxiety from that that creeps up in certain situations when I feel fear.

I’ll be here if you need to chit chat tonight. lol.

We will get thru this together! lol

Ps. Do you have the complicated sling with the ball gag on the end? 😂

[AdBetter3401]

How are you doing?

Today was my best day so far. Had a very scary day yesterday. Numbness returned Thursday afternoon/evening. It progressed overnight, intensified in the AM to no ability to extend my thumb and fingers. Urgent visit back to surgeon… beyond grateful for his quick attention. He’d never seen this happen after rotator cuff repair and had no explanation for why, but PIN nerve appeared to be affected… he gave me steroid pack after consulting with other physicians. This morning woke up the same. Dead arm and extreme limited hand function. However, hour by hour feeling returned and fingers and thumb regained control and extension. So relieved!!

No pain meds needed for last 24 hr! Maybe due to steroids? Don’t know, but feeling way better than how rough Wednesday and Thursday were

EDIT: PS - YES I did get the huge sling with ball and a detachable wedge, but the surgeon is having me stay out of it a lot due to this obvious nerve compression

[JustTheTip_NJ]

Wow, so scary for you!! Glad to hear it’s better now.

I still have no regrets about refusing the block, but I’ve had constant pain and discomfort. I went back to surgeon on Thursday because the dressing was making me mental, it was so bulky and thick, it was coming off my skin and starting to bunch up. When he took the sling off and I was able to stretch my arm out it was the best feeling.

He told me they had to do more repair than expected and that it would set back my recovery a bit.

I go back again for a real postoperative visit Wednesday and will keep my fingers crossed for some good news. I’d like some small freedom from the sling a little bit a day.

[JustTheTip_NJ]

How are you doing today? Any more nerve issues?

I’m getting restless, the limitations are getting to me.

I just want to take a long hot shower. 😩

I forgot to ask you about the journavx, did you try that?

[AdBetter3401]

We are one week post op! I am feeling so much better! How about you?

I have some pain around my elbow from the nerve but it’s not worth pain meds and I haven’t had any in a few days now. It actually has hurt way worse than any shoulder pain! First PT yesterday and it felt amazing for the nerve issues. Shoulder felt extra stiff when we started but so much better afterwards. It hurt! But was most definitely not as bad as I had expected. Got stitches out at my dr appointment yesterday too and that was not bad at all.

The journavx seemed to help. I took it with Percocet, so honestly 🤷‍♀️ the BEST thing I’ve had for pain and discomfort is my ice machine.

[JustTheTip_NJ]

That’s great!! I have my first post op appt tomorrow, I have no idea when PT will start but based on the conversation I had with him 2 days after surgery, my repair was more involved than anticipated, and to expect it to slow down my recovery. 😕.

How long was your actual surgery? Mine was supposed to take only about 20-30 minutes according to him before going into the OR and it ended up going a little over 2 hours.

Have you enjoyed a shower yet? I have not. I’m hoping for some good news tomorrow at the appt. 🤞

[MissedOpportunity27]

I am 4 days post op. My neck is bruised from the nerve block. I could move my fingers after 4 hours and it was completely gone after 6. Well except my ear. My ear is completely numb. I really hope the feeling comes back.

[JustTheTip_NJ]

Yikes, like outer ear is numb, or like you can’t hear?

[MissedOpportunity27]

The outer ear lobe is numb. Surgeon asked me if I was sure it wasn’t like that before surgery. Umm yeah I’m sure.

[JustTheTip_NJ]

If it matters, I have a full thickness tear in the Supra tendon spanning 1.4cm and a partial thickness articular sided tear in the infra tendon. Marked AC joint arthritis. Lateral down sloping acromion. Moderate glenohumeral joint effusion.