Nerve block: Caring for your child at home after the procedure

Your child was given a nerve block. This means your child got an injection of local anesthetic near a nerve. The injection puts the nerve to sleep and stops it from carrying messages, so your child does not feel pain anywhere in the area where the nerve goes. The effect can last for about six to 12 hours, depending on the medicine used. Nerve blocks are used to reduce or get rid of pain from a surgical procedure.

These instructions will help you look after your child at home after the nerve block.

There are different types of nerve blocks

Nerve blocks are often used in the arms or legs. The arms and legs are also called the limbs.

Write down where your child had the nerve block (for example, left arm or both legs):

Be careful with the limb that had the nerve block

After a nerve block, your child's limb will be numb. It will be hard for your child to control the movement of that limb.

If your child got a nerve block in the leg, do not let your child put weight on that leg. Instead, your child should use crutches, a wheelchair or a stroller to move around.

If your child got a nerve block in the arm or hand, protect the limb from too much pressure. You will be given a sling for your child's arm. Use the sling to support the arm and stop it from hanging freely.

After the nerve block wears off

After a few hours, your child's nerve block will wear off. This means that it will stop giving pain relief. Your child's doctor or nurse will give you other pain medicines to give your child. You will need to give these medicines to your child BEFORE the nerve block wears off.

Often, parents are asked to give these medicines with the first dinner or bedtime after the surgery. This will let the medicines work before the nerve block has worn off.

The doctor or nurse will explain when and how you should give your child the pain medicine.

Write down when and how to give the medicine here:

New medicine for pain relief

Your child's doctor may prescribe codeine or morphine to manage pain. Your child may also be allowed to have acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the doctor's instructions when you give your child these medicines.

Your child's doctor prescribed:

Name of medicine:

Amount to give:

When to give:

Your child can also take:

Name of medicine:

Amount to give:

When to give:

Problems to look out for

Call your child's doctor or the hospital where the procedure was done if:

• The limb has not recovered strength by the next morning.
• Your child has a lot of pain that is not controlled by medicine.
• You are concerned about your child's condition.
• You have any questions about the nerve block or the pain medicines.

Write the hospital's number here:

Write your child's doctor's name here: