Buffered lidocaine decreases the pain of digital anesthesia in the foot

HE FriedmanDepartment of Surgery, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, USA.

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KT JulesDepartment of Surgery, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, USA.

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K SpringerDepartment of Surgery, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, USA.

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M JenningsDepartment of Surgery, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, USA.

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The pain associated with injections for inducing digital anesthesia can be decreased by adding sodium bicarbonate to plain lidocaine. A randomized, double-blind study has demonstrated that 24 out of 30 participants indicated on a visual analogue scale that buffered lidocaine is less painful than plain lidocaine. The pain decreased by 50% or more for almost half of the participants. Practitioners can easily buffer lidocaine in the office by adding a small volume of sodium bicarbonate to plain lidocaine.

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