Nerve Blocks--Do They Work?

[Sula]

Hi All,

I posted earlier--my boyfriend had arthroscopic surgery back in November for bone spurs in his ankle. The doctor, when he went in, said the ankle was pretty trashed--something he did not suspect from looking at the x-rays.

What was supposed to be three weeks and he'll be back running again has turned into eight months and even a ten minute walk is painful.

A friend of mine's wife talked about how helpful nerve blocks were for her ankle problems--bad sprains with nerve (burning, jabs) pain.

Anyone care to comment on nerve blocks and experience you may have had?

Thanks!

Sula

[LordShamino]

Hi Sula

Your boyfriend may wish to try some acupunture. Refer to the below link on the concept of acupunture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture

Studies have shown that acupunture is an effective pain blocker. I'm not 100% sure which one your referring to tho. When it is properly administered by well-trained practitioners, it is considered safe and effective against pain.

I have treatment for 6 weeks, and when after the first 2 weeks, I felt a lot better walking. I'm not 100% sure the long-term effects. My view of acupuncture is it helps your body tolerate the pain for the short term, but you need to continue rehabilitating your ankle.

My acupuncture involves needles inserted onto the ankle and leg, and wires are connected to these needles for electro currents to follow through.

Acupuncture is also covered by private health insurance if this helps.

[iamhappy46]

I have been using 'Valpro' which is a anti-epileptic drug(I do not have epilepsy) and it appears to work well for me. I was taking neurofen, panadol and a variety of other over the counter medications to control my ankle pain but I also found that I was suffering from reflux and occasionally coughing up blood from excess pain killers.

A few weeks on Valpro and I was able to concentrate much better

[KiraB]

Sula,
get him to go for more x-rays and an MRI, sounds similar to what happened to me when my cartilage replacement failed. I wasted a lot of moeny on things like acupuncture (not saying they aren't good, but I was too advanced in my arthritis and so it was a total waste of time and money)

I had an ankle replacement and am pain free and more mobile than I have been in years already.