Home
About Us
Contact Us
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Types
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis
Knee Joint Pain
Knee Sprain
Knee Cartilage Tears
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee ACL Surgery
Ankle Pain
Treating Ankle Sprains
Ankle Braces
Heel Pain
Heel Pain Treatment
Hip Pain
Low Back Pain
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Anatomy
Shldr Impingement
Rotator Cuff Tear
Cuff Tear Symptoms
Shldr Arthroscopy
Joint Replacement
Anesthesia Types
Joint Pain Remedies
N.S.A.I.D.'s
Alternative Pain Rx
Find a Doctor

Local Anesthesia

The term, local anesthesia, refers to the act of rendering a specific area of the body, (typically small), numb by the injection of an anesthetic agent directly into the tissue surrounding the proposed site of the operation or procedure. This has been done for decades for a wide variety of things, from starting an IV, to “lump and bump” removal, biopsies, suturing of lacerations, carpal tunnel release and many more not mentioned.

There are many different types of local anesthetics; Novocain (little used today), Xylocaine, Bupivicaine, Procaine, Lidoicaine and Ropivicaine (Naropin) are but a few. Some are short-acting, while others have a long duration of effect. Some are more tailor-made for different surgical specialties, such as dentistry.





Nerve blocks and regional anesthesia also employ local anesthetic agents to achieve their results, and we’ll discuss those as we go. For now, we’ll focus on the general purpose local anesthetics.

Nerve blocks and regional anesthesia also employ local anesthetic agents to achieve their results, and we’ll discuss those as we go. Local anesthetics in this sense differ from nerve blocks primarily in the manner in which they are administered.

Many of the end results and desired effects can occur in both scenarios, but there are certain situations where one is preferred over another. For now, we’ll focus on the general purpose local anesthetics. The process of administering a local anesthetic involves the injection of the anesthetic material directly into tissue surrounding the area to undergo a procedure. The tissue absorbs the anesthetic agent; it binds to tiny pain nerve endings where it interferes with their ability to transmit pain impulses to the brain.



Local anesthetic agents can also be used as an adjunct to pain control after surgery. Quite frequently, incisions are injected with a long-acting local anesthetic at the conclusion of a surgical procedure to lessen post operative pain. It can also be injected into joints after arthroscopic surgery, such as in knees and shoulders. Local anesthetics don’t always have to be injected. They can come in topical applications, eye drops, creams, and sprays (i.e. ENT surgery). Local anesthetic agents can also be used as an adjunct to pain control after surgery. Quite frequently, incisions are injected with a long-acting local anesthetic at the conclusion of a surgical procedure to lessen post operative pain. It can also be injected into joints after arthroscopic surgery, such as in knees and shoulders.

Leave Local Anesthesia; return to Home Page

Return to Anesthesia Types Page


footer for local anesthesia page