The NeuroMedical Center | Patient Education Library | Radial Nerve Block

This outpatient procedure frequently performed by pain management experts at The Spine Hospital of Louisiana numbs the hand with an injection of local anesthetic. Typically, it is used for surgery on the hand or fingers.

 



Preparation

The patient is positioned with the arm outstretched to expose the wrist. The injection site is cleaned and sterilized.

Numbing the Nerve

A needle is carefully guided through the wrist to the radial nerve, which travels through the arm and hand. Anesthetic is injected, bathing the nerve and temporarily blocking sensation in the hand and fingers.

After Care

The numbing sensation will last for several hours after the injection. Painkillers may be needed to alleviate any pain from the procedure after the anesthesia wears off.