For many people who suffer with chronic pain, nerve blocks can help with pain control and improve function and quality of life. Nerve blocks also work very well when combined with exercise, medication and other ways to manage pain.

  WHAT IS A NERVE BLOCK?

A nerve block is a procedure where a local anesthetic is injected close to a nerve or joint.

  WHAT CAN NERVE BLOCKS DO FOR ME?

The goal of nerve blocks is to reduce pain so that you can do more, and engage in your daily activities without being limited by your chronic pain. The benefits of nerve blocks tend to be temporary. Some patients experience pain relief for a short period of time; and others can experience pain relief for many weeks. This is because pain is a personal perception and everyone responds differently. Also, if you have had chronic pain for 10 or more years, it could involve multiple pain generators. There are many anatomic structures and the pain could come from more than one joint or nerve. In the spine, it’s possible that your first injection will take away some of the pain, but that other injections will offer more improvement.

​  IS IT PAINFUL? HOW OFTEN WILL I GET THEM?

Fear of the injection is almost always worse than the injection itself. Patients are often hesitant when it
comes to needles. Your specific pain condition will determine how many injections will be required. You will be awake during the nerve blocks and most procedures are well tolerated and brief. It is important to stay still during your procedure. The doctor may be speaking with you during the nerve block. Generally, the procedure only lasts 5 to 15 minutes. Your injection frequency will depend on your medical history, but is usually either weekly or bi-weekly.

  WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE NERVE BLOCK PROCEDURE?

Some people may feel some post-procedure discomfort or soreness that will improve within an hour or two of the injections. Afterwards, you will be monitored for about 10-15 minutes in a recovery area before you can go home. If there are no side effects from the nerve blocks, you may drive yourself home.

  ​COMMON MINOR SIDE EFFECTS AND RISKS

• a few days with more pain

• bruising

• numbness

• swelling near the injection site

Other risks (these are rare) include:

• allergic reaction

• temporary parenthesis (loss of movement)