Efficacy of Continuous Infusion Ropivacaine Interscalene Blocks

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a common and painful procedure routinely performed on an outpatient basis. Postoperative pain control regimens can include narcotic pain medicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and regional anesthesia such as an interscalene block (ISB). Regional blocks such as ISB can safely provide complete pain relief for the shoulder and upper extremity for eight to twelve hours1. However, the shoulder is still very painful when the block wears off. The purpose of this study is to: 1. Examine the efficacy of continuous infusion scalene block ropivacaine catheters during the first two days after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. 2. Examine narcotic consumption after continuous infusion scalene block ropivacaine and placebo catheters after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. 3. Evaluate for any continued pain relief benefit of continuous infusion scalene block ropivacaine catheters during the three days after the infusion catheters have finished.