Ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks are an effective method to provide analgesia for hand injuries. Because most hand injuries don’t require orthopedic consultation, we recommend that clinicians new to ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia start with ultrasound-guided forearm nerve blocks. In an era of opioid-sparing pain management, these techniques are an ideal addition to the broad armamentarium of the emergency physician.

Dr. Wroe is a senior resident at Highland Hospital, Alameda Health System, in Oakland, California.

Dr. Nagdev is director of emergency ultrasound at Highland Hospital, Alameda Health System, in Oakland, California, and assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

References

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