Digital Nerve Block Index Finger — FRCA Final MCQ

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EasyRegional AnaesthesiaDigital Nerve Block Index FingerFRCA Final

A 45-year-old man (ASA II) requires regional anaesthesia for hand surgery. The surgeon needs anaesthesia of the index finger. Which specific nerve block is most targeted?

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Correct answer: B — Ulnar nerve block at the wrist

Digital nerve blocks (ring block) of the index finger provide the most targeted anaesthesia for single-finger surgery. Each finger is supplied by two proper digital nerves (from the common digital nerves of the median or ulnar nerve). A ring block involves injecting LA on both sides of the finger base, blocking both digital nerves. For the index finger: the radial digital nerve comes from the median nerve, the ulnar digital nerve also from the median nerve. Use PLAIN LA (NO adrenaline) in digital blocks – though recent evidence challenges this dogma for dilute adrenaline.

Reference: RCOA – 2023 – Regional anaesthesia: hand blocks