Introduction:

Ankle and foot injuries can generate chronic pain, lead to functional limitation and long-term work disability. Image-guided peripheral nerve block is an alternative treatment in patients with chronic pain and poor response to other therapeutic strategies.

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided ankle nerve block in patients with chronic pain after ankle and foot injuries caused by an occupational accident.

Methods:

Pre- and postintervention retrospective study, which included the medical records of patients with chronic pain after ankle and foot trauma, who had undergone peripheral nerve block of the ankle using ultrasound guidance. The numerical scale (NS) and the Lattinen Index (LI) were used to assess pain. Pain and medication use were assessed one month after the procedure.

Results:

The clinical records of 41 patients were analyzed. 24 (58.5 %) men and 17 (41.5 %) women, with a mean age of 42.5 years (± 12.2). All patients had chronic pain after ankle and foot injuries, with an average evolution time of 16.8 (± 12.1) months. One month after the procedure, there is evidence of a significant decrease in pain intensity in the group of patients according to the NS (p = 0.000) and in the total LI score (p = 0.000). In the follow-up assessment, 26 (63.4 %) patients recorded a decrease in the number of pain medications.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided ankle nerve block can be considered as an analgesic adjuvant in chronic pain after ankle-foot trauma and help reduce the use of medications.

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