Peripheral Nerve Catheter Pain Control Device

Many children go home with peripheral nerve catheters which help to manage pain after surgery. An adult trained in the care and use of the pump must be in the house during the nerve catheter infusion. It is important to read the info below to know when to get help for your child.

Emergency instructions:

In the unlikely event that your child has a seizure, close the clamp and call 911.

Close the clamp on the pump tubing to stop the infusion, and go to the nearest Emergency Department, if your child has any of the following symptoms: 

• Numbness or tingling around the mouth

• Funny taste in the mouth

• Ringing, buzzing in ears 

• Trembling 

• General feeling that things are not right

• Increased irritability/inconsolable 

• Blurred vision

• Confusion

Close the clamp on the pump tubing to stop the infusion and contact the pain management provider (215-590-1000) for any of the following:

• Redness, swelling, pain, or discharge at the nerve catheter site

• Excessive bleeding or drainage from the nerve catheter site.

• The catheter comes out or is disconnected (Do not attempt to push catheter in or reconnect.) 

• The arm/leg with the pain catheter is cool, blue, or swollen

• Unable to move the arm/leg with the pain catheter in it

• Numbness, tingling, extending beyond the arm or leg with the nerve catheter

• Dizziness, lightheadedness

• Nausea/vomiting

• Loss of voice or difficulty swallowing with an upper extremity nerve catheter

Patient instructions:

Safety

The peripheral nerve catheter causes your child’s arm/leg to become numb or have decreased sensation. Your child can be injured if you don’t protect the numb arm/leg. Talk with your healthcare team about how to protect the “numb” arm/leg from a pressure injury. Your child’s arm (and fingers) or legs (and toes) should be able to move. Fingernails and toenails should be pink and warm.

• Avoid placing or spilling anything that is very hot or cold on or near the arm/leg with the pain catheter. Also avoid placing anything hot or cold near the catheter tubing.

• Protect the affected area from pressure and sharp objects.

• No driving, bike riding, or use of heavy machinery. 

Always keep the pain pump close to your child. This will help prevent pulling the nerve catheter out accidentally.

Dressings

Keep the nerve catheter dressing dry and intact.

You will receive separate instructions for the surgical dressing. 

Bathing

Your child should not take a bath or shower while the nerve catheter is in place. After it is removed, please follow the recommendation of your healthcare team

Catheter removal

There may be some medicine left in the pump when it is time to remove it.

1. Remove the clear nerve catheter dressing.

2. Gently pull out the tubing along the body toward the feet for leg surgery, or toward the upper arm for arm/shoulder surgery. Do not pull straight up (see picture to the right).

3. Pull out about 3 inches of tubing, until you reach the end of the catheter. There is a different color tip on the end of the catheter.

4. A bandage is not usually needed. 

Pain Management Program

If you have any questions or problems related to the pain control pump, or if your child’s pain is not controlled, call 215-590-1000, and ask for the pain management provider on call.

Call your surgeon or primary team with other questions about your child’s care.

Reviewed March 2024 by Keara Bradley, CRNP, Michele Bythrow, CRNP, Maureen Scollon-McCarthy, CRNP