Neuropathy from nerve block?
 

Hi,
I'm new here, although a long, long time ago I used to post on the RSD forums.

On October 13th I had an ankle scope and debridement due to a badly sprained ankle that happened about a year ago and never fully improved. Because I developed RSD after a wrist surgery back in 2003, it was decided that I would have a (tibial?) nerve block for the scope. The injection hurt very much and my leg kept twitching on its own during the injection. The anesthesiologist kept saying to hold still, but I didn't have any control over it.

Anyway, my lower leg and foot were totally numb for about 44 hours and then over the next few hours I got about 70% of the feeling back and it has stayed this way. One month later, I am still partially numb from the the place where he gave me the injeciton behind the knee to my toes. Its like I feel everything through a sock. But worse than that, I have really bad burning nerve pain in my foot, particularly the arch and toe area.

I don't think it is RSD/CRPS as I don't have any of the other symptoms associated with that (no discoloration, no swelling, etc.).

My surgeon said that she hopes it will resolve on its own, but it's actually worse than it was 2 weeks ago, so I'm getting more concerned.

Have any of you gotten neuropathy from a nerve block? Does it resolve without intervention? Can long term damage result from not getting some kind of treatment at this stage?

Thanks for reading this.

Oh, my, it does sound like that doctor hit a nerve!

Do you have any Lidoderm patches? I'd ask for an RX for them if your insurance will cover it. Placed on the back of the knee, they will help that nerve settle down. If you get relief from that, even if it is temporary, then I'd get another opinion from a doctor not involved. Damage to a nerve can heal, but it can take a long time.

I have found for myself, that any work in the feet, can leave you with some pain issues. You could also try putting 1/2 Lidoderm on the top of the foot, to see if that is where your pain is being generated. I had surgery on my instep of my left foot decades ago, and it still sometimes pains me. It was numb for years after the tumor was removed, but as I have aged, that foot seems stiff now, and the ankle hurts sometimes all night long!

You have my sympathy, because it seems like many times doctors do something to people, that is invasive, we get left with stuff/pain for the future.:rolleyes:

I was sick before I got my spinal nerve root blocks....but I felt much worse for the wear after them....spine really hurt and my autonomic system went way haywire. I can't say for sure if one caused the other, but, the blocks were not helpful.:(

I had a nerve block on my arm for surgery recently....and that went fine. I will say the scar tissue still is very 'nervy' in terms of pain and many areas are patchy. Keep in mind that where the 'cut' is, nerve endings are severed and could possibly never return to pre-surgery feeling. My C-section scars from 30 years ago, still are numbish.:o

Hello HotFoot,
Welcome aboard, a while back I had a TURP procedure and the anesthesiologist at the VA hospital told me because I had PN (5 yrs) she would not do a nerve block (standard procedure for TURP) and advised never to have them also the same concerning trigger point injections. This is why I prefer the VA care over Medicare. In '07 I cut off a finger was on high dosage of Lyrica and Tramadol and was put under while operation was performed, don't know what they used but my body was pain free and I really felt at peace for a day after, don't know what they used but I would like being put under like that once a month. Good Luck

MrsD - I'm not sure what a lidoderm patch is. I'll research it. I have an upcoming appt. with my case managing doctor (this is work comp) and will talk to him about it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Cyclelops - I know what you mean about nerve damage never quite healing back to normal. I still have some lingering numbish feeling in my wrist where they moved the radial nerve aside during surgery. It's so strange the way sometimes the nerve overreacts and sometimes it's mellow about it.

Stagger - That's interesting that your anesthesiologist wouldn't do a block because of existing PN problems and my surgeon and anesthesiologist thought it best to do one because of past RSD problems. I thought that a block was the way to go, too, because of the RSD - trying to keep the ankle from feeling the pain of the surgery. Maybe it makes a difference what type of block you get and where you get it and how much tearing the needle does to the nerve. I had my gall bladder removed in 2004 and they did an epidural because of my RSD and that went without a hitch.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I looked up lidoderm patches and that seems like a reasonable treatment to discuss with the doctor. But I'm a little confused about placement. The nerve was probably damaged by the needle behind the knee, but I don't feel any pain there. The pain is in my ankle and foot. Would it still be placed behind the knee?

Thanks!