My wife is having a nerve block to help with her back and leg pain. How is this done exactly? Will she come home the same day?
Most lumbar nerve blocks are done on an out-patient basis. If there aren't any major problems, the patient goes home the same day.
In this procedure the surgeon places a long, thin needle into the intervertebral foramen. This is the space where the spinal nerve exits the spinal canal and travels down the spine. A special X-ray called fluoroscopy is used to guide the needle to the right spot.
Once the needle-tip is in position, an injection of anesthetic and corticosteroid is given. The mixture goes into the area around the nerve root and can bring immediate pain relief. For some patients the pressure of the fluid around the irritated nerve makes the pain worse but this doesn't usually last. Once the numbing agent starts to work, pain is reduced.
Nerve blocks are good for patients with chemical irritation of the nerve from disc degeneration. Mechanical pain from stretch or pressure on the nerve is not likely to respond to a nerve block.
« Back
All content provided by eOrthopod® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission. Alteration of these documents in any way is a violation of the copyright.