Peripheral Nerve Block Enables 65-Year-Old Woman 'Zero Pain' Shoulder Replacement
A 65-year-old female patient underwent total shoulder replacement surgery at Tri-Service General Hospital using continuous peripheral nerve block technology. She experienced no pain post-surgery, was discharged in under 3 days, and recovered quickly.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 18:49
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 19:05 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 19:06 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Jieling, Taipei, 10th) Ms. Liu, 65, injured her shoulder joint from a fall. Due to past experiences and stories from friends and family, she feared surgery. The Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) team recommended continuous peripheral nerve block technology, allowing her to exclaim that the total shoulder replacement was completely painless. She was discharged in less than 3 days and quickly began rehabilitation.
Ms. Liu shared her story at a press conference titled "Creating High-Quality Surgical Pain Relief Care" today. She recalled that during childbirth 32 years ago, she experienced continuous vomiting for a week after the anesthesia wore off and only had the strength to hold her baby on the 8th day postpartum. Additionally, a neighbor told her that after undergoing joint replacement surgery, they experienced fever, chills, dizziness, and vomiting, and the surgical site still hurt a year later.
Ms. Liu mentioned that these experiences made her terrified of surgery, causing her to delay treatment for her shoulder joint for two months. "I thought, 'I can't let my hand become disabled,' so I braced myself and came to TSGH for treatment." The day before surgery, the medical team explained that they would use continuous peripheral nerve block technology for post-operative pain control.
Ms. Liu said that when she was woken up in the recovery room after the surgery, she felt absolutely no pain. "I couldn't believe I had undergone a 12-hour surgery." That night, she felt almost no pain in her shoulder joint, could get out of bed to go to the bathroom on her own, and slept well.
The next morning during the doctor's rounds, Ms. Liu had no discomfort and could even get up and walk several laps around the ward. "This was truly a painless surgery," she said. She did not experience the fever, chills, dizziness, or vomiting she had feared. She was discharged smoothly in less than 3 days and began rehabilitation therapy soon after. Her shoulder joint has now recovered well, and she can perform daily activities freely.
Dr. Hsu Yung-chi, Chief of the Pain Treatment Division, Department of Anesthesiology at TSGH, stated that surgical pain management is a crucial issue in modern medicine. If post-operative pain is not properly controlled, it can severely impact a patient's recovery progress, prolong hospital stays, affect sleep and mobility, and even lead to chronic post-surgical pain. Continuous peripheral nerve catheter block technology has become one of the solutions.
Dr. Hsu explained that this technology uses ultrasound imaging for precise localization. A very thin catheter is placed near the peripheral nerves that innervate the surgical area and connected to a dedicated pain pump. A standardized drug delivery mode is set based on the surgical site, allowing pain medication to work stably over a long period. Patients can receive scheduled medication, significantly improving pain relief and comfort.
Dr. Pan Ju-yu, an attending physician in the Department of Orthopedics at TSGH, pointed out that for patients undergoing surgery, gastrointestinal motility can only resume and muscles can only regain function after they no longer feel pain. Surgery damages muscle layers, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. Generally, the human body needs 24 to 48 hours for initial repair. With the help of peripheral nerve block pain relief technology, patients can get through the most uncomfortable pain period.
Dr. Pan added that oral pain medication can also be used as a supplement after surgery. Good pain relief gives patients confidence within the first 7 days after surgery, preventing them from fearing rehabilitation. Pain relief is extremely important for surgical patients because rehabilitation must begin within the first week after surgery. If pain is significant on the first or second day post-surgery, patients may be afraid to start rehabilitation, delaying their recovery.
Dr. Hsu noted that this technology is primarily used during hospitalization to control acute post-operative pain, mainly for upper limb, lower limb, and trunk surgeries. It is not yet provided in a home setting and is not suitable for chronic pain, such as cancer pain. Unless a patient has a very severe coagulation disorder, almost anyone can receive continuous peripheral nerve block pain relief. However, it is currently a self-pay item. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150610
Ms. Liu shared her story at a press conference titled "Creating High-Quality Surgical Pain Relief Care" today. She recalled that during childbirth 32 years ago, she experienced continuous vomiting for a week after the anesthesia wore off and only had the strength to hold her baby on the 8th day postpartum. Additionally, a neighbor told her that after undergoing joint replacement surgery, they experienced fever, chills, dizziness, and vomiting, and the surgical site still hurt a year later.
Ms. Liu mentioned that these experiences made her terrified of surgery, causing her to delay treatment for her shoulder joint for two months. "I thought, 'I can't let my hand become disabled,' so I braced myself and came to TSGH for treatment." The day before surgery, the medical team explained that they would use continuous peripheral nerve block technology for post-operative pain control.
Ms. Liu said that when she was woken up in the recovery room after the surgery, she felt absolutely no pain. "I couldn't believe I had undergone a 12-hour surgery." That night, she felt almost no pain in her shoulder joint, could get out of bed to go to the bathroom on her own, and slept well.
The next morning during the doctor's rounds, Ms. Liu had no discomfort and could even get up and walk several laps around the ward. "This was truly a painless surgery," she said. She did not experience the fever, chills, dizziness, or vomiting she had feared. She was discharged smoothly in less than 3 days and began rehabilitation therapy soon after. Her shoulder joint has now recovered well, and she can perform daily activities freely.
Dr. Hsu Yung-chi, Chief of the Pain Treatment Division, Department of Anesthesiology at TSGH, stated that surgical pain management is a crucial issue in modern medicine. If post-operative pain is not properly controlled, it can severely impact a patient's recovery progress, prolong hospital stays, affect sleep and mobility, and even lead to chronic post-surgical pain. Continuous peripheral nerve catheter block technology has become one of the solutions.
Dr. Hsu explained that this technology uses ultrasound imaging for precise localization. A very thin catheter is placed near the peripheral nerves that innervate the surgical area and connected to a dedicated pain pump. A standardized drug delivery mode is set based on the surgical site, allowing pain medication to work stably over a long period. Patients can receive scheduled medication, significantly improving pain relief and comfort.
Dr. Pan Ju-yu, an attending physician in the Department of Orthopedics at TSGH, pointed out that for patients undergoing surgery, gastrointestinal motility can only resume and muscles can only regain function after they no longer feel pain. Surgery damages muscle layers, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. Generally, the human body needs 24 to 48 hours for initial repair. With the help of peripheral nerve block pain relief technology, patients can get through the most uncomfortable pain period.
Dr. Pan added that oral pain medication can also be used as a supplement after surgery. Good pain relief gives patients confidence within the first 7 days after surgery, preventing them from fearing rehabilitation. Pain relief is extremely important for surgical patients because rehabilitation must begin within the first week after surgery. If pain is significant on the first or second day post-surgery, patients may be afraid to start rehabilitation, delaying their recovery.
Dr. Hsu noted that this technology is primarily used during hospitalization to control acute post-operative pain, mainly for upper limb, lower limb, and trunk surgeries. It is not yet provided in a home setting and is not suitable for chronic pain, such as cancer pain. Unless a patient has a very severe coagulation disorder, almost anyone can receive continuous peripheral nerve block pain relief. However, it is currently a self-pay item. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150610
FAQ
Which hospital offers this surgery?
The article reports a case at Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.
How much does this technology cost?
According to the article, it is currently a self-pay item, and the specific cost is not mentioned.
What types of surgery is this technology suitable for?
It is mainly suitable for acute pain management after upper limb, lower limb, and trunk surgeries.