Shoulder surgery is usually done with general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or both. General anesthesia means you are asleep. Regional anesthesia means a nerve block, which numbs your shoulder and arm. A common block is an interscalene block, and it can help with pain for several hours after surgery. Some surgeons also use a light sedative, so you are “sleepy,” or they may do the surgery with you awake and comfortable.

For shoulder arthroscopy, the anesthesia team may talk with you about these options before surgery. In some cases, a nerve block is done about 20 to 30 minutes before the surgery starts. Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.