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Nerve blocks are more than a short-lived anesthetic during a medical procedure. The skilled team at NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin, in Appleton, Oshkosh, North Fond du Lac, and Bellevue, Wisconsin, uses nerve blocks to diagnose the source of your pain and as a therapeutic injection, giving you relief from pain anywhere in your body. Call the nearest office today to see if you’re a candidate for nerve blocks.
Nerve Blocks Q & A
What is a nerve block?
A nerve block is an injection containing a local anesthetic and administered at a specific nerve or cluster of nerves. The anesthetic stops pain signals from traveling through the nerve. Since your brain doesn’t get the nerve signal, you don’t perceive the pain.
NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin performs two types of nerve blocks: diagnostic and therapeutic. A diagnostic nerve block identifies the nerve causing your pain. After verifying the nerve, your provider may recommend another pain-relieving procedure.
A therapeutic nerve block is intended to control your pain for a longer time and may include another medication like an anti-inflammatory steroid.
An anesthetic alone may last days, weeks, months, or longer. How long your results last depends on variables like the type of anesthetic, your individual metabolism, and whether you have one or multiple injections.
What do nerve blocks treat?
Nerve blocks provide pain relief for many possible conditions by targeting nerves in any body area. Here are a few examples:
Lumbar sympathetic block
This nerve block, which targets sympathetic nerves running along your lower (lumbar) spine, eases lower back pain, leg pain, and pain caused by peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Medial branch block
A medial branch block relieves pain originating in the spinal joints, like arthritis, by targeting the nerves that send pain signals from the joints to your brain.
Genicular block
A genicular block treats knee pain whether you need relief after surgery or have a condition like arthritis.
Stellate ganglion block
A nerve block targeting the stellate ganglion (nerves near your voice box) helps alleviate pain in your neck, arms, chest, and head.
What happens during a nerve block?
Before your nerve block, your provider explains the procedure and discusses whether you want light sedation given through an intravenous (IV) catheter.
After positioning you on the exam table, they apply a topical anesthetic at the injection site. Then, your provider uses real-time imaging to guide the needle to the targeted nerve.
Your provider releases a dye to verify the needle is in the proper position and then injects the anesthetic. You may need to rest for a time, but most patients return to their usual activities.
Call NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin today for more information or to schedule your appointment.