Managing Pain in Shoulder Arthroplasty Patients

Regional anesthesia  specifically, interscalene blocks  have been advocated as an alternative to intravenous opioids to manage pain in patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty. They ve generally done a good job of providing analgesia. [1-3] The problem, as described by Thomas (Quin) Throckmorton, MD, during a presentation at ICJR s 7th Annual Shoulder Course, is that interscalene blocks are associated with some pretty serious side effects, including respiratory side effects similar to those associated with opioid use.