Selective Nerve Root Blocks (Lumbar and Thoracic)
Nerve Blocks are injections of local anesthetic and steroid directly to the area of the affected nerve. Nerve Blocks can help with pain control and improve function and quality of life. A Nerve Block procedure generally only takes between 5 to 15 minutes. A local anesthetic or even IV sedation are sometimes used. We typically use a fluoroscope (low powered x-ray) to guide us in making the injection.
For some people, a nerve block gives immediate relief. For others, it takes a series of injections before it helps the pain. It’s very unpredictable. This is because pain is a personal perception and everyone responds differently. The sooner you can get a Nerve Block injection before your pain becomes chronic, the better your result. Nerve Block injections are typically combined with other forms of treatment such as physical therapy to increase your chances of getting better.
The peak effect of the steroid will usually be between three and 10 days. It is slowly released into the body, and for some people, there is an interval before you start to feel the improvement. Your response to the first injection helps us about future treatments as we work to pinpoint the nerve that is causing your pain. Based on your medical history, you can usually repeat the Nerve Block procedure from three to six times in a 12-month period. Ultimately, the goal of nerve block injections is to decrease pain, increase your function and, for some patients, allow more aggressive physical therapy. Nerve Block Injections work well for many patients.
