02/06/2026
Mastering Wrist Nerve Blocks: Key Landmarks for Success
As young surgeons, mastering peripheral nerve blocks is crucial for outpatient procedures and ER coverage. The wrist block is elegant, efficient, and avoids broader anesthesia risk. The key is in these essential landmarks from image. Let's break it down:
Figure A: The Median Nerve Block
Goal: Anesthesia for the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger, and the associated palm.
Landmarks: Find the Palmaris Longus (if present) and the Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR). Your sweet spot is between these two tendons, just proximal to the wrist crease.
Tip: Inject about 5 mL of local anesthetic here.
Figure B: The Ulnar Nerve Block
Goal: Anesthesia for the pinky finger and the ulnar half of the ring finger, and the associated palm.
Landmarks: Relate this to the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (FCU). Block just radial to the FCU tendon, again, proximal to the wrist crease. The nerve runs deep to the artery here.
Figure C: The Radial Nerve Block
Goal: Anesthesia for the dorsal hand from the radial side. This is purely sensory.
Landmarks: Locate the Radial Styloid process. This is the anatomical snuffbox region. The target is the superficial radial nerve branches that fan out over the styloid process.
Tip: This is more of a subcutaneous "field block." Create a fan-shaped wheal of anesthetic from the radial side of the artery around to the dorsal aspect. A "Range of Infiltration" as seen in image is key here.
Combined, a complete wrist block provides comprehensive anesthesia to the entire hand, distal to the block site. It's safe, provides long-lasting postoperative analgesia, and minimizes patient time in the recovery bay. Learn these landmarks, practice, and you'll add a powerful tool to your arsenal.
What's your go-to nerve block technique in the wrist? Share in the comments!