Nerve block during TKR - pro and con?

Hi All,

I had TKR of my right knee this past February and I'm having my left knee done this Thursday. I am on blood thinners due to a history of PEs. The morning of my first TKR, the anesthesiologist opted not to do a nerve block because I had been instructed to stop the blood thinner 2 days prior to surgery and he would have been more comfortable had it been 3. I think I was fine without the nerve block - I was up and moving as directed on a walker the day of the surgery and pain was well controlled with oral medications.

This time around, I've been instructed to stop the blood thinner 3 days prior to allow for the nerve block. However, I have heard some bad things about nerve blocks (specifically, long term numbness in the leg that never completely goes away) so I am a little concerned. I'm wondering what advice / feedback the forum might have to offer.

Thanks in advance.