Axillary tunnel block and joint manipulation ...
Background
Your doctor thinks you may have a condition called adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Adhesive capsulitis is caused by the connective tissues in the joint becoming inflamed and stiff. This can result in scar tissue and parts of the joint "sticking" together and usually makes it painful and difficult to move.
What is the procedure?
For this procedure, the doctor will inset a catheter (small tube) near the nerve that transmits the pain signals fro your joint. The catheter is connected to a pump which is used to provide a constant supply (this is called an infusion) of local anaesthetic to the nerve. The local anaesthetic numbs the nerve and you will lose feeling in the joint. Once this happens, the doctor will be able to gently stretch the joint and this will help the tissues to release.
What will happen during the procedure?
The procedure is performed as an inpatient admission over 3 days. On the first day, the nurses will prepare you for theatre. In theatre, the area around the injection site will be cleaned. The catheter will be inserted, the infusion of local anaesthetic will be started and you will return to your room. You will stay in hospital for 3 days, and during this time while the catheter is still in place, your doctor will come each day and gently stretch the joint.
What happens after the procedure?
After 3 days the infusion will be stopped and you will be able to go home. You should organise for someone to drive you home as you will be unable to drive until the feeling in your joint returns. A few weeks after the procedure, you will have a follow up appointment with your doctor. Your doctor may also ask for you to see a physiotherapist for some exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the joint.
What are the possible complications?
This procedure has a very low risk of complication, but there are some that you should be aware of.
Local discomfort: after the anaesthetic wears off, some patients may experience some discomfort in the area that the catheter was inserted.
Increase in pain: some patients may also experience some pain in their shoulder (usually for a few days up to a couple of weeks).If this happens, you should take simple pain medication (eg Panadol) for the first few days. You may also find that heat or cold packs help.
Bleeding or infection: these are very rare. Please contact our office immediately If you develop a fever, or an increase in pain, swelling, redness or heat in the area where the catheter was positioned. If these symptoms occur outside office hours, you should attend the nearest emergency department.
Background
Your doctor thinks you may have a condition called adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Adhesive capsulitis is caused by the connective tissues in the joint becoming inflamed and stiff. This can result in scar tissue and parts of the joint "sticking" together and usually makes it painful and difficult to move.
What is the procedure?
For this procedure, the doctor will inset a catheter (small tube) near the nerve that transmits the pain signals fro your joint. The catheter is connected to a pump which is used to provide a constant supply (this is called an infusion) of local anaesthetic to the nerve. The local anaesthetic numbs the nerve and you will lose feeling in the joint. Once this happens, the doctor will be able to gently stretch the joint and this will help the tissues to release.
What will happen during the procedure?
The procedure is performed as an inpatient admission over 3 days. On the first day, the nurses will prepare you for theatre. In theatre, the area around the injection site will be cleaned. The catheter will be inserted, the infusion of local anaesthetic will be started and you will return to your room. You will stay in hospital for 3 days, and during this time while the catheter is still in place, your doctor will come each day and gently stretch the joint.
What happens after the procedure?
After 3 days the infusion will be stopped and you will be able to go home. You should organise for someone to drive you home as you will be unable to drive until the feeling in your joint returns. A few weeks after the procedure, you will have a follow up appointment with your doctor. Your doctor may also ask for you to see a physiotherapist for some exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the joint.
What are the possible complications?
This procedure has a very low risk of complication, but there are some that you should be aware of.
Local discomfort: after the anaesthetic wears off, some patients may experience some discomfort in the area that the catheter was inserted.
Increase in pain: some patients may also experience some pain in their shoulder (usually for a few days up to a couple of weeks).If this happens, you should take simple pain medication (eg Panadol) for the first few days. You may also find that heat or cold packs help.
Bleeding or infection: these are very rare. Please contact our office immediately If you develop a fever, or an increase in pain, swelling, redness or heat in the area where the catheter was positioned. If these symptoms occur outside office hours, you should attend the nearest emergency department.