Selective Nerve Root Block

Selective Nerve Root Block

Selective Nerve Root Block

Definition

A selective nerve root block is an injection that uses a steroid medication and numbing agent to reduce pain around very specific nerves (nerve roots) in the spine. This minimally invasive procedure is typically performed on the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), and lumbar (low back) areas of the spine. The purpose of this injection is to relieve pain and treat inflammation of the affected nerve roots. Generally speaking, a selective nerve root block may be used to locate a patient’s pain before other interventional pain therapies like radiofrequency ablation (neurotomy) are administered. If, however, the patient experiences adequate pain relief from a selective nerve root block, additional pain management treatments may not be necessary.

Procedure

During a selective nerve root block injection, the patient lies face down with his or her neck or back exposed. Patients may be given an intravenous sedation (IV) to help reduce their anxiety and physical discomfort throughout the procedure. The skin above the surgical site is also cleansed with an antiseptic solution before a local anesthetic is injected into the tissues surrounding the damaged nerve roots. Once the anesthetic takes effect, the physician uses an x-ray device to introduce a hollow needle into the neural foramen space. A contrast dye may be injected into this area to help the physician identify the irritated or damaged nerves. An anesthetic and steroid medication is then injected into the neural foramen space to effectively treat the damaged nerve roots. Once all of the painful areas have been treated, the needle is removed and the patient is sent to a separate room to recover.

After Care

After the procedure, the patient’s blood pressure, respiration, oxygen saturation, temperature, and heart rate are monitored. Patients may experience some heaviness or numbness in their legs or arms after the procedure. These sensations are due to the anesthetic, and they should subside within a few hours. A caretaker, loved one, or friend will need to take the patient home after the selective nerve root block. After several days or weeks, patients may begin to notice their pain symptoms significantly decrease. If the patient does not experience any significant changes in his or her pain levels, alternative therapies may need to be considered. Following a successful selective nerve root block, a supplemental interventional pain therapy called radiofrequency ablation (neurotomy) may be used to provide longer lasting pain relief.

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