PATIENT PERCEPTION OF THE ISCHEMIC ARM BLOCK

Objective: To investigate patient perception of the ischemic arm block . Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Fracture clinic of a major cit y hospital. Patients/Participants: One hundred eighty-one consecutive patients who had an ischemic arm block were mailed a questionnaire. Th e response rate was 71 percent. Results and Conclusions: Forty-two per cent of respondents reported significant pain from the tourniquet cuff , and 29 percent reported significant pain during manipulation or with in the first hour after releasing the cuff. Statistical analysis showe d that cuff pain was independent and not indicative of increased indiv idual sensitivity to pain. Manipulation pain was likewise an independe nt phenomenon. There was a close relationship between manipulation pai n and postprocedure pain. Reported complications were rare. Fourteen p ercent were dissatisfied with the proce dure, which correlated with ma nipulation pain but not with cuff pain. In conclusion, significant cuf f pain during the procedure is common. Manipulation pain is not as com mon but may lead to dissatisfaction.