Ouch ouch ouch! I had a nerve block for back pain that was even more painful than ever at the time of the injection. Does that mean the doctor found the right spot? I am getting better now but the procedure itself was very painful.
Spinal nerve blocks can cause sharp radicular pain at the time of the injection. This happens when the needle tip comes close to the nerve root. When this happens, the surgeon will pull the needle back and readjust the needle tip position.
In the past, surgeons weren't sure of the best location for steroid injections. Some tried to get as close as possible to the nerve without causing increased pain. Others used a spot called the safe triangle -- an area known to avoid any nerve complications.
If the nerve is the cause of the pain, then injection of a local anesthetic and steroid will give the patient immediate pain relief. Thanks to a recent study at several large hospitals, we now know that the injection doesn't have to get so close to the nerve.
It's hoped that the results of this study will help surgeons find a standard method to give future patients the most pain relief possible with this treatment.
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