Brachial plexus blocks-good or bad idea

[tnmoore]

I am a 32 yr LOBPI, and I have a 75-80 degree contracture at my elbow. I have found(thanks to Dr. Kozin)a elbow specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota(Dr. O'Driscoll). My concern is that his surgery requires a brachial plexus block for the anesthetic. This is suppose to keep my arm numb so that movement of my elbow joint can be continual without pain after surgeryy. However since my contracture was due to a brachial plexus injury does anyone have any information whether this procedure should be performed or not. It bothers me that since my injury is brachial plexus related I do not feel comfortable with this procedure for anesthetic, and therefore I am looking for anyone who has suggestions so I can bring this to the attention of my surgeon at time of surgery. My surgeon is not a brachial plexus specialist and so I do not know if he would be aware of the seriouness of that type of block for my condition. Thank you