Assessing patient knowledge and concerns about peripheral nerve blocks: Implications for preoperative education

Peripheral nerve blocks offer numerous advantages, including reduced postoperative pain, decreased opioid use, and faster recovery. Despite their benefits, patients' understanding of peripheral nerve blocks remains poorly characterized. This survey study aimed to assess patient knowledge of peripheral nerve blocks among individuals undergoing outpatient orthopedic surgery.

Adult patients scheduled for outpatient orthopedic surgery and awaiting consent for peripheral nerve blocks between February 18, 2025 and July 3, 2025 at a single academic institution were eligible for inclusion. Pediatric and non-English-speaking patients were excluded. After providing written consent, participants completed a one-time written survey in the preoperative area on the day of surgery. The survey included 10 "true/false" statements assessing knowledge of peripheral nerve block mechanisms, applications, outcomes, and comparisons with general anesthesia. Participants also ranked concerns regarding potential complications, including neurological, vascular, and infectious ones, allergic/autoimmune reactions to anesthetic, and pain during the procedure.

Most patients reported limited prior understanding, with only 4.0% identifying as "very knowledgeable." Only 27.7% reported receiving prior explanations about peripheral nerve blocks from a non-anesthesiologist physician. Neurological and infectious complications were ranked as the most concerning.

This study identified significant knowledge gaps, particularly regarding continuous peripheral nerve blocks and distinctions between peripheral nerve blocks and general anesthesia. These findings highlight the need for targeted preoperative educational initiatives to support informed decision-making and improve patient-centered outcomes.