nerve block

Nerve Block

A nerve block is an injection that may provide temporary pain relief. It can also help diagnose sources of nerve pain. There are several different types of nerve blocks based on which nerve it’s targeting, such as a genicular nerve block or an occipital nerve block.

What is a nerve block?

A nerve block is an injection of medication close to a targeted nerve or group of nerves to provide temporary pain relief. Some injections provide prolonged pain relief. An injection of anti-inflammatory medication in addition to local anesthetic may allow the damaged nerves to heal by relieving the inflammation.

Nerves are like cables that carry electrical signals between your brain and the rest of your body and vice versa. These signals help you feel sensations (like touch and pain) and move your muscles. They also maintain certain functions like breathing, sweating or digesting food. Nerve blocks mainly address issues with pain signaling, but they can affect other nerve functions as well.

The effects of the injection are usually quick, but nerve blocks are often just a temporary fix. Some people may benefit from one injection, while others need multiple. Some people don’t experience any effects from the block and may require different treatment methods to manage their symptoms.

What is the purpose of a nerve block?

Nerve blocks have three general purposes:

• Therapeutic nerve blocks: The goal of these nerve blocks is to achieve temporary pain relief for acute (sudden and short) or chronic (long-term) pain. The nerve block may reduce inflammation and allow your nerves to heal and, thus, relieve pain.

• Diagnostic nerve blocks: If you’re experiencing pain but your healthcare provider doesn’t know the exact source of it, they may perform a nerve block. If you experience pain relief from the injection, it generally means that the targeted nerves are the source of the pain. If you don’t experience relief, the pain is likely coming from a different source. Diagnostic nerve blocks can help your provider plan future treatment.

• Anesthetic nerve blocks: Anesthesiologists or surgeons often administer nerve blocks before surgeries to help manage pain after the procedure. They use this in addition to general anesthesia for complex surgeries. For some smaller surgeries, you can choose a nerve block instead of anesthesia, such as carpal tunnel surgery or trigger finger release surgery.