Selective Nerve Root Block

WHAT IS A NERVE ROOT BLOCK?

A nerve root block is an injection of local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid under the directed vision of an x-ray machine (C-Arm) into the areas where the nerve root exits the spinal column. A nerve root block (injection) follows the path of a single nerve to block pain emitted into an arm, leg or back.

A nerve root block may be used by your doctor to diagnose (try to determine at which level in your spine the pain is coming from) as well ad provide therapeutic relief at this level with medication.

YOU WILL RESPOND TO THE NERVE ROOT BLOCK IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:

The pain does not go away. this means the pain is not coming from the nerve at that level. This provides the Doctor with information about which levels are not causing the pain and help them locate the specific areas which are causing your pain.

The pain goes away and stays away for a few hours but the original pain comes back and doesn’t get better. This would mean the block was also of diagnostic value. The pain is probably coming form the nerve at the level of the injection, but the steroid was not of benefit to you.

The pain goes away after the block, but comes back later the same day. Then the pain is reducing over the next several days. This means that the block was of therapeutic value and has had a long lasting effect on treating your pain.

Your response to the injection provides important information for your doctor. Please be sure to keep careful track of what happens after the injection and share this information with him during your follow-up visit.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE PROCEDURE?

There is always a risk of bleeding, infection, or an allergic reaction to any of the medications used during the injection. These risks are present but their probability of occurring fairly low. There are some serious risks to the injections that are extremely rare. These include but are not limited to nerve damage, or even paralysis.

Risks and short-term side effects may occur and should be reported to Dr. Greenberg. You may get some very temporary numbness or weakness that follows the path of the nerve that was blocked. You may have some increased pain for a few days after the injection, including localized pain at the injection site.

If you are a Diabetic your blood sugar may be elevated after the procedure for a short time. Continue to monitor your sugars as usual. Report any loss of control with the blood sugar levels to your Physician immediately.

WILL THE INJECTION HURT?

The most uncomfortable part of the injection is the stinging and burning of the medication used to numb the skin. Every person’s response to the injection is individual. Most patients will receive an intravenous injection of a sedative to help them relax during the injection process and may feel a sharp burning sensation in the arm where their IV needle has been placed. This sensation is temporary and will go away in two minutes.

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE ACTUALLY PERFORMED?

The Physician will have you position yourself on the procedure table with your head at the top of the table and your feet at the bottom. You will be on your stomach and asked tell the nurses where the pillows need to be positioned to make you as comfortable as possible.

It is normal to feel anxious at this time. Be assured the Nurses will help you relax by explaining what will happen next. Your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will be monitored at all times during the procedure. A small plastic oxygen tube will be placed with your assistance on your nose and the tubing will fit around your ears like glasses.

This may smell like plastic and the oxygen may tickle your nostrils a little. After you are comfortable your doctor will cleanse your injection site with iodine solution or/other antiseptic if you have an allergy to topical iodine. The x-ray machine will then be positioned over the location to be injected and the Physician will take an x-ray of your body at the injection level. The procedure only takes a few minutes.

At the end of the injection(s) you will be asked to move yourself on to a stretcher to be taken back to the recovery area. Your family member or friend will be asked to join you when the nurse feels you are awake. You will be offered something to drink. It will be important for you to drink some fluids and go to the bathroom before you are discharged from the facility.

WHAT RESTRICTIONS WILL I HAVE ON THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE?

You should not drive for the remainder of the day after your procedure. A responsible adult should accompany your to your home. This person should be available to you during the remainder of the day should you need assistance. The procedure will be cancelled if you do not have a responsible adult with you. This is the facility policy and it was written for your safety.

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