Recovering at home

What's normal during recovery?

• You may experience numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation over the affected region; heaviness, weakness or difficulty moving your leg, and the feeling that your leg has "fallen asleep."
• The pump delivers medicine very slowly and it may take longer than 24 hours after your procedure to notice a change in the size and look of the pump. Do NOT expect discernable changes in volume/size of the pump within any 24 hour period. As long as your pain control is adequately managed, the pump is working well.
• The pump infusion is expected to complete in 3-4 days and the effects of the nerve block may last a few hours after completion.
• You can continue to take your pain medicine as instructed by your Surgeon.

 

How do I care for my body part affected by the pain pump?

• Keep the dressing over the catheter clean and dry.
• You may experience some leaking of local anesthetic or pink fluid under the clear dressing. You may add another dressing or tape to the area to help keep it in place. Do NOT remove the dressing as the catheter can be easily dislodged.
• Check the connections to your pump each morning and evening. Avoid kinking, pinching, or placing an ice pack near the catheter and tubing.
• If the catheter becomes disconnected from the pump accidentally, throw the pump away and remove your catheter.
• In the unlikely event that you would need an urgent MRI while the catheter is in place, you should remove the catheter and discard the pump per the instructions on the next.

 

How do I care for my body part affected by the nerve block?

• Protect your leg by keeping it close to your body, if possible.
• Be careful with hot, cold, hard, or sharp surfaces (including heat and cold packs.)
• Follow your Surgeon’s instructions regarding positioning, activity, and surgical dressing/wound care.
• Use caution with activity. While your limb is numb, your balance may be affected.
• Use caution when walking or doing Physical Therapy with the leg affected by the pain pump. If you experience weakness, request assistance so you do not fall.

 

Can I take pain medication while the pain pump is in place?

The pain pump may not take away all of your pain. It is OK to take your pain medications as prescribed by your Surgeon, if needed.

It may be best to eat something before taking the pain medication to help prevent feeling sick.

Removing the pain pump:

• You will remove the pain pump when the infusion has completed – the balloon reservoir inside the pump container will be emptied.
• Removal should be easy and painless. The most uncomfortable part is removing the dressing.
• Wash your hands (or have your caregiver wash their hands, if they will be removing your pain pump).
• Sit down to remove the pain pump. Consider having your caregiver assist you.
• Take off the dressing over the catheter. Do not use scissors.
• Firmly grasp the catheter at the skin. With gentle, steady pulling, slide the catheter out from underneath the skin. It should come out with minimal resistance.
• If you feel any sharp or shooting pain when you begin to pull, STOP and call the on-call Anesthesiologist for further instructions.
• The catheter and pump are disposable; simply throw them in the trash once you have taken the catheter out.
• You may put a bandaid over the site if desired, but you do not have to cover it.
• Consider taking oral pain medication just as the catheter comes out; this way, you are more likely to stay comfortable as the numbness wears off.