Medically reviewed by Dr. Matt Hatch, MD, August 11, 2024.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia is a type of pain management for surgery that numbs a large part of the body, such as from the waist down. It is used when a simple injection of local anesthetic is not enough, and when it’s better for the patient to remain awake. Regional anesthesia is delivered through an injection or through a small tube called a catheter that is inserted near the part of the body where the surgery will take place.

This type of anesthesia, which primarily uses nerve blocks such as spinal analgesia and epidurals, is often used for childbirth. In fact, an epidural is the most common type of pain control used for labor and delivery. It allows the laboring patient to be awake and able to push when it’s time to deliver the baby, but it numbs the pain. Spinal analgesia is stronger and is used during procedures such as cesarean deliveries, also known as C-sections, and knee and hip replacements. Spinal analgesia and epidurals allow the doctor to deliver the baby surgically without causing pain to the birthing parent, and without subjecting the baby to sedating drugs that might be harmful.

This type of anesthesia, which primarily uses nerve blocks such as spinal analgesia and epidurals, is often used for childbirth.

Other types of nerve blocks are used to help control pain after certain orthopedic procedures, such as shoulder, knee, and ankle surgeries. Nerve blocks can also be used to help manage chronic pain. Anesthetic medication is injected near a nerve or group of nerves to numb them for hours, and sometimes days, to reduce pain.

Regional anesthesia is very safe and doesn’t involve the potential complications and side effects that can occur with sedation and general anesthesia. But it does carry some risks, and it’s important that it be provided and monitored by an anesthesiologist, a medical doctor.

Anesthesiologists work with your surgical team to evaluate, monitor, and supervise your care before, during, and after surgery—delivering anesthesia, leading the Anesthesia Care Team, and ensuring your optimal safety.