Nerve Blocks
A nerve block is performed to numb an entire body part, usually arms and legs. Dr Lim is very experienced and have been trained extensively in these nerve blocks.
To make it less unpleasant, he will also give you a sedative for the nerve block. It is usual to combine these nerve block with a general anaesthetic. As these nerve blocks tend to last for many hours, they are very effective in controlling your pain after surgery.
Shoulder block
Shoulder surgery is one of more painful operations. A shoulder block provides excellent pain relief and also allows the surgeon to operate more efficiently. It is strongly recommended that you should have a shoulder block for your shoulder surgery.
Dr Lim will use a nerve stimulator or an ultrasound machine to guide the needle close to the nerves which supply your shoulder. He will inject local anaesthetics to block the nerves and numb the shoulder. He may give you a small dose of sedative to help you cope with the shoulder block. The shoulder block may also be done once you are asleep.
It is expected that a shoulder block will last 8 to 18 hours. During this time, your whole arm may be numb. To protect your arm, you should keep your arm in the shoulder sling. When you feel the nerve block wearing off and with the return of feeling in the arm and shoulder, you should ask for pain medication in anticipation of the coming pain. Please do not wait for the pain to become unbearable.
