A 49-year-old female asked:
Had carpal tunnel release surgery 4 days ago-they did a nerve block.in 24 hrs i had my feeling back in my fingers except 2,my 3rd & 4th. need i worry?
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Wade Fletcheranswered
23 years experience
Not to worry, Kim: These may be slower to recover because they are also among the fingers affected by the carpal tunnel (compression of the median nerve). Also, depending on which blocking agent was used and other factors (like circulation, temperature), it may take up to a week for the full effects of the anesthetic/analgesic medications to wear off. If the numbness persists beyond one week, I'd get reevaluated
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Jenkinsanswered
Specializes in Anesthesiology
Usually the: block they use is a Bier block which isn't really a nerve block, it's intravenous, check with surgeon regarding the surgical procedure
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Karen Sibert commented
Anesthesiology 40 years experience
The surgeon may have done a more localized block at the level of the wrist. Bier blocks aren't often used for carpal tunnel surgery in many hospitals. With long-acting local anesthetics, numbness may last 24 hours or longer.
Jun 23, 2014
Dr. Karen Sibertanswered
Anesthesiology 40 years experience
May be expected: With long-acting local anesthetics, numbness and pain relief may last for 24 hours or longer. Check with your surgeon about what type of nerve block was used, and whether there is reason for concern if your fingers are still numb. Most likely the sensation will gradually return to normal.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Anthony Pollizzianswered
Anesthesiology 37 years experience
Carpal Tunnel: Yes you should contact your surgeon. The local anesthetic would have worn off in 24 hrs. You may have some swelling around the Median nerve affecting your sensation,
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 18, 2019
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