Local anesthetic lasts for 3 days

boat · May 5, 2011

I'm curious how this would affect mobility?

rkitty198, BSN, RN · May 5, 2011

Interesting.

When I get patients that return from surgery, say a lap hernia repair, they will inject a local at the site. Even with the local, the pain is usually deeper, and the local dosen't seem to hold much pain control.

With my ACL repair the local anesthetic was amazing. I could tell right when it wore off- it would have been nice to have something last longer that is for sure.

I think that this is great with certain surgeries, not all.

allnurses Guide · May 5, 2011

The main use for these new type of LAs is for use in single shot peripheral nerve blocks. It is much easier to do a single shot of LA that will last for up to 3 days versus using nerve catheter with a constant infusion that is required now to get numbness that lasts consistently greater than 14-16 hrs.

An injection of LA of the skin/muscle is not going to cover the deeper visceral pain. Those type of injections are only to help with the incisional pain which it does quite well.

Most peripheral nerve blocks have a motor and sensory function bundled together. Mobility will most always be effected to some extent until the block has worn off. Motor function is last to be lost during a block and usually the first to resolve. This is due to where the motor nerve fibers lie compared to the sensory nerve fibers in the nerve.

Hopefully that answers your questions.