Nerve Blocks

What is a Nerve Block?

A nerve block is an injection of an anaesthetic and steroid medication around the spinal nerve root to diagnose or treat pain. It is indicated to relieve pain, weakness, numbness and tingling sensation in your neck, back and extremities due to nerve injuries such as a pinched nerve and spinal stenosis (narrowing).

Procedure for a Nerve Block

A nerve block is an outpatient procedure during which you will lie on your stomach or back on an X-ray table and your doctor will either use X-ray imaging or Ultrasound to perform the procedure. We will use imaging to identify the proper target and inject numbing medication and/or anti-inflammatory medications at the site of pain to reduce discomfort. The entire procedure takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

Following a Nerve Block

You may have pain relief immediately after the injection if a diagnostic block is performed, if a therapeutic injection is performed you may expect relief for several weeks or months. The effects of the treatment will be usually noticed 2 or 3 days after the treatment. If you respond well to the first injection, you may be advised to have another injection after a period of time for better relief.

Risks Associated with Nerve Blocks

With any procedure there may be risks, complications or side effects. The most common side effects of a nerve block are pain (temporary), bruising, infection at the site of the injection and nerve damage.