Saphenous Nerve Block for Foot and Ankle Surgery

Patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery have the option of having a nerve block administered by their Anesthesiologist. The nerve block numbs the foot and results in less post-operative nausea and vomiting, and better pain control. Two different techniques for blocking the saphenous nerve to the foot have been described and are both commonly used at St. Paul's hospital. The goal of this study is to compare the success rates of these two techniques.