| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Category #9 - Sciatic nerve block |
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| Question: |
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Which way do you thread the catheter for a sciatic block?
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| Answer: |
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We thread sciatic catheters caudally or proximally depending on the approach. If a subgluteal approach is used, the catheter is threaded distally or proximally depending on the use of a tourniquet (you do not want the catheter and the tourniquet in the same area), but if a popliteal approach is used the catheter is threaded proximally, because the nerve splits distally.
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| Question: |
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Do you perform anterior or lateral sciatic blocks?
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If necessary we will do these blocks. It has not been necessary for us to include these approaches routinely in our practice. The great majority of patients accept a more conventional approach to the sciatic nerve. It is our practice to perform the safest, easiest, most successful block that will give the desired effect to the patient with the least fussing.
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