Ankle Block
Giorgio Ivani
Valeria Mossetti
Patient Position: The patient lies supine in neutral position or slight internal and then external rotation according to the nerve to be blocked.
Indications: Anesthesia and postoperative analgesia of the foot.
Needle Size: A 23- to 25-gauge, 35-mm, insulated beveled needle and a short beveled needle for the subcutaneous infiltration.
Volume: 2 to 4 mL ropivacaine 0.2% for each nerve.
Anatomic Landmarks: Five nerves supply the foot, four of which derive from the sciatic nerve (the tibial, the superficial and deep peroneal, the sural nerves) and one from the femoral nerve (the saphenous nerve).