Definition
Definition
The femoral nerve starts at a nerve bundle in the lower back. It passes through the pelvic area and branches off as it travels down the leg to the foot. The nerve affects feeling and movement of the thigh, hip, and knee. A femoral nerve block decreases sensation in these areas.
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Reasons for Procedure
Reasons for Procedure
Femoral nerve blocks are generally used for pain relief. You may also be given a femoral nerve block for:
- Femoral neck or shaft fracture
- Surgery on your leg
Possible Complications
Possible Complications
There is a higher risk of falls after having a femoral nerve block because of decreased sensation in the leg. Falls can cause or worsen injury.
Other problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will review potential problems, like:
- Blood clots
- A local pocket of blood outside of the blood vessels—hematoma
- Infection
- Nerve or blood vessel damage
- Atrial fibrillation
- Additional surgery, which may needed after a fall
- Pneumonia
- Kidney failure
What to Expect
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Before the procedure, the doctor may request the following:
Current medications should be discussed with the doctor before surgery. Certain medications need to be stopped up to a week before your procedure.
Anesthesia
A local anesthetic will be used at the injection site before the block is delivered. It will numb the area. A sedative may also be give to encourage relaxation.
Description of the Procedure
This procedure may be done as treatment by itself or as part of your treatment.
You will be asked to lie on your back. The doctor will locate the femoral nerve by feeling of the pulse from the femoral artery just below your pelvic area. The femoral nerve is located next to this blood vessel. An ultrasound machine may also be used to help guide the needle. The needle will then be inserted into the femoral nerve. More than one injection may be needed to get the needle into the correct position. You may feel your thigh muscle twitch when the nerve is stimulated by the needle. Once the needle is in the correct place, the anesthetic medication will be injected into the nerve.
How Long Will It Take?
15-20 minutes
Will It Hurt?
Local anesthesia will prevent pain at the injection site during the femoral nerve block. You may have some discomfort at the insertion site after the nerve block wears off.
Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital
After the procedure, the hospital staff will monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
At Home
Transportation home and assistance at home will be needed until the anesthesia wears off.
Call Your Doctor
Call Your Doctor
It is important to monitor your recovery. Alert your doctor to any problems. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, pain, or discharge from the insertion site
- Pain that does not go away with the medication you were given
- Excess bleeding from the insertion site
- Falls, especially if they result in injury
- Residual tingling, numbness, weakness or shooting pain in your leg
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.
RESOURCES:
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
When it Hurts to Move—Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://whenithurtstomove.org
References:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00372
Updated March 2014. Accessed July 1, 2014.
Femoral nerve block. New York School of Regional Anesthesia website. Available at:
http://www.nysora.com/techniques/nerve-stimulator-and-surface-based-ra-techniques/lower-extremitya/3267-femoral-nerve-block.html
Updated September 20, 2013. Accessed July 1, 2014.
Sharma S, Iorio R, Specht LM, Davies-Lepie S, Healy WL. Complications of femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(1):135-140.
Szucs S, Morau D. Femoral nerve blockade. Med Ultrason. 2010;12(2):139-144.
Total knee arthroplasty. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated June 11, 2014. Accessed July 1, 2014.
Wright I. Peripheral nerve blocks in the outpatient setting. AORN J. 2011;94(1):59-74.