Effect of Nerve Block Versus General Anaesthesia for Distal Radial Fracture Surgery

Inclusion Criteria: * ASA I-III * Age 18-80 years old * Scheduled for distal radial fracture surgery (ie open reduction and internal fixation) Exclusion Criteria: * Surgery involving more than distal radial fracture of the affected arm * Known allergy to opioids (including the weak opioids tramadol and dihydrocodeine), local anaesthetic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) including COX-2 inhibitors, paracetamol. * History of chronic pain * Alcohol or drug abuse * Impaired renal function, defined as preoperative serum creatinine level over 120 µmol/L * Patients with liver dysfunction (Plasma bilirubin over 34 mol/L, INR \>/=1.7, ALT and AST over 100U/L) * Pre-existing neurological or muscular disorders * Psychiatric illness * Impaired or retarded mental state * Not self-ambulatory before operation * Pregnancy * Local infection * Patient refusal