Wrist and digital nerve blocks

Wrist and digital nerve blocks are useful for the management of many common problems of the hands and fingers, including fractures, lacerations, and infections requiring drainage. The principal nerves in the wrist (radial, median, and ulnar), and the digital nerves in the hand or fingers are anatomically superficial. They can be easily located and are accessible for percutaneous injection of anesthetic agents such as lidocaine (Xylocaine), bupivacaine (Marcaine), and mepivacaine (Carbocaine). Careful selection of the anesthetic agent and type of nerve block can provides safe and effective anesthesia for many surgical procedures of the hands and fingers.