Despite its name, a nerve root block is a type of noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure used to both identify and resolve pain of a spinal nerve. The procedure is administered via an injection into the nerve with a compound formulated to block the nerve by numbing it. An x-ray procedure is often performed first to help locate the nerve. The pain relief associated with the procedure is long-lasting, although not permanent.
About the Procedure
The procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete and may, in some cases, involve sedating the patient beforehand. The injection contains a local anesthetic to numb the nerve immediately at the point of administration. Should the patient's pain dissipate over time, the procedure is considered a success. The injection also contains a compound to reduce inflammation in the area surrounding the nerve and spinal discs — relieving two sources of pain at once.
Side Effects
The procedure is entirely safe and very low risk. Patients who are anxious about needles can receive sedation to relax during the procedure. While safe, there are some side effects which can occur:
- Soreness at the site of injection
- Elevated blood sugar levels
- Itching or a rash
- A surplus of energy
Nerve Block Uses and Benefits
The procedure can work for patients who suffer from a multitude of different ailments:
- Cervical, thoracic, or lumbar nerve damage or issues
- Reduction of inflammation in specific areas where pain is prominent
- Pain associated with facet joints in the spine
- Pain associated with nerves in the face, forehead, eyelids, scalp, nose, upper jaw, shoulders, elbows, arms, hands, wrists, or abdomen
- Diagnosing areas suspected to be the source of pain
- Predicting if future permanent treatments such as surgery may be needed
- Preventing subsequent pain following a procedure such as phantom limb pain
Pain Relief Duration
Pain relief can be experienced more-or-less immediately after the procedure, with some patients reporting results within 30 minutes. The degree of relief varies from patient to patient. Pain relief from this procedure is not permanent — patients usually report pain returning after several months and then undergo a follow-up procedure. In cases where there is no relief, it means the targeted nerve was not the source of pain, and the procedure is undertaken again targeting a different nerve.
Downtime
Although a very short, noninvasive, and nonsurgical procedure, it is still recommended that patients take the remainder of the day off to rest for about 24 hours. Patients can return home immediately afterwards as it is an outpatient procedure.
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