Nerve Block

A nerve block is a medical procedure used to manage pain by blocking or interrupting the transmission of pain signals along specific nerves. It involves the injection of a local anesthetic, a corticosteroid, or a combination of both near the targeted nerve or group of nerves. Nerve blocks can be temporary or long-lasting, depending on the type of medication used.

Here’s how a nerve block is typically performed:

1. Patient Preparation: The patient will be asked to lie down in a comfortable position, and the area where the nerve block will be administered will be cleaned and sterilized.
2. Local Anesthesia (Optional): In some cases, the doctor may apply a local anesthetic to numb the skin and underlying tissues to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
3. Imaging Guidance (Optional): For precise targeting of the nerve, the doctor may use imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray) or ultrasound to visualize the nerve’s location.
4. Needle Insertion: Using a thin needle, the doctor will carefully insert it into the targeted area near the nerve or nerves causing the pain.
5. Confirmation of Correct Placement: In some cases, the doctor may use nerve stimulation or inject a small amount of contrast dye to confirm that the needle is correctly positioned near the nerve.
6. Medication Injection: Once the correct needle placement is confirmed, the medication (local anesthetic, corticosteroid, or a combination) is slowly injected around the nerve or nerve bundle.
7. Observation and Recovery: After the injection, the patient may be monitored for a short time to ensure there are no adverse reactions. Depending on the type of nerve block, the patient may be able to return home on the same day or might require a short hospital stay.