Nerve block
Nerve Block
Targeted pain relief at the nerve or joint causing your pain —
for precise diagnosis and effective treatment.
What is this procedure?
A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic (sometimes with a
small amount of corticosteroid) at a nerve, group of nerves, or joint
suspected of causing your pain, performed under fluoroscopic or
ultrasound guidance.
Nerve blocks serve two purposes. Diagnosis — if your
pain clearly improves after the injection, that location is confirmed as
the pain source. Treatment — the block itself relieves
pain, and the result guides the next step of your care, such as
radiofrequency ablation.
Common procedures in this group
- Medial branch block — for pain from the facet
joints of the spine, a common cause of chronic back and neck pain - Selective nerve root block — an injection at a
specific nerve root, to diagnose and treat pain radiating along that nerve - Intercostal nerve block — for chest-wall pain,
such as post-herpetic pain or pain after thoracic surgery - Sympathetic blocks, e.g. stellate ganglion block
and lumbar sympathetic block — for pain involving the autonomic
nervous system, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) - Joint and trigger point injections — including the
shoulder, hip, and sacroiliac (SI) joints, and myofascial trigger points
Who is it for?
- People with chronic pain whose exact source is not yet certain and
who need a more precise diagnosis - People with spinal facet joint pain, post-herpetic neuralgia,
or pain from a specific nerve - People whose pain has not improved with medication, or who cannot
tolerate medication side effects
What happens during the procedure
- You are positioned appropriately and the skin is cleaned with antiseptic.
- The physician numbs the skin, then guides a fine needle to the
target under X-ray or ultrasound. - The planned dose is injected; the whole procedure takes about
15–30 minutes. - You are observed in recovery for 30–60 minutes, and your pain
scores before and after the injection are recorded to assess the result.
Preparation and aftercare
- Report all regular medications — especially blood thinners —
along with allergies and medical conditions. - Bring a companion and do not drive yourself home that day.
- Temporary numbness along the nerve is expected from the local anesthetic.
- Keep a simple pain diary for the first 6–8 hours as instructed —
this information is very important for planning your next step.
Risks you should know
Most side effects are minor — soreness or bruising at the injection
site, or temporary numbness. Serious complications such as infection,
bleeding, or nerve injury are very rare with image guidance. Your
physician will explain the specific risks of your particular procedure
before you decide.
numbness or weakness that does not resolve, or increasing pain with
redness and swelling at the injection site —
call 0-2206-2900 Ext. 10457.
Questions about this procedure?
Our physicians are happy to assess your condition and advise you.