Understanding Your Nerve Block: What to Expect

If you’re scheduled for a nerve block, it’s normal to have questions or feel a little nervous. What exactly is a nerve block? Will it hurt? How long does it last? What can I expect after?

A nerve block is a minimally invasive, interventional pain management procedure that provides targeted relief from chronic pain. At Alliance Spine & Pain Centers, our outstanding care team often recommends nerve blocks to help patients whose pain fails to respond to traditional medical treatments. 

We may also use nerve blocks as a diagnostic tool to pinpoint the exact source of your pain when preparing you for another treatment.

Here, we explain what a nerve block is, how it works, and what you can expect before, during, and after your procedure so you can feel more confident and prepared.

What is a nerve block?

This injection targets a nerve or group of nerves to relieve pain. Nerve blocks contain a local anesthetic and possibly an anti-inflammatory agent that aims to reduce nerve inflammation so it can heal.

Nerve blocks are classified by the nerves they target and include:

Medial branch nerve block

Medial branch nerves are small sensory nerves along the spine that transmit pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. They’re a common source of back pain and neck pain. 

A medial branch nerve block targets the nerve believed to be the source of your pain based on symptoms and imaging results. Depending on your condition, we may inject medication at the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar part of your spine. 

Lumbar sympathetic nerve block

Lumbar sympathetic nerves are located on both sides of the lumbar spine. These nerves regulate blood flow and pain signals. 

A lumbar sympathetic nerve block relieves persistent lower back or leg pain.

Stellate ganglion block

Located at the base of the cervical spine, the stellate ganglion nerves regulate involuntary functions such as heart rate and sweating. Overactive or damaged stellate ganglion nerves can cause chronic pain conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), phantom limb pain, and postherpetic neuralgia (shingles nerve pain). 

This nerve block helps relieve head, neck, and upper arm pain, as well as improve blood circulation to the arm.

Genicular nerve block

Genicular nerves are small sensory nerves around the knee that transmit pain signals from the knee joint to the brain. They’re a common source of knee pain. 

A genicular nerve block targets the nerves believed to be the source of your pain based on symptoms and imaging results. If successful, a radiofrequency ablation or peripheral nerve stimulator may give long-term relief.

Suprascapular nerve block

The suprascapular nerve is a sensory nerves near the shoulder blade that transmits pain signals from the shoulder joint to the brain. They’re a common source of shoulder pain. 

A suprascapular nerve block targets the nerve believed to be the source of your pain based on symptoms and imaging results. If successful, a radiofrequency ablation or peripheral nerve stimulator may give long-term relief.

What happens before a nerve block?

During your initial consultation, we explain the type of nerve block you need and where we’ll place the injection. We provide personalized instructions on what you need to do before your nerve block based on injection type and medical history. In many cases, little to no preparation is necessary. 

However, if you need sedation, you may need to stop eating and drinking eight hours before your procedure. We may also advise that temporarily stop taking and blood-thinning medications or supplements. 

What can I expect during a nerve block?

A nerve block is an outpatient procedure, and you go home the same day. You change into a gown, and we have you lie on the treatment table, positioning you so we have easy access to the targeted site.

We clean the skin with an antiseptic agent and inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. You may feel a slight pinch during this first injection.

We use real-time imaging to locate the targeted nerve, insert the needle, and inject the nerve block. You may feel some pressure, or mild pain, when we inject the medication.

Afterward, you remain in the recovery area for 15-30 minutes so we can monitor you and allow the medication to begin working before you go home.

What can I expect after a nerve block?

You should experience relief from pain immediately from the local anesthetic. As that wears off, your pain may temporarily return before improving again as the anti-inflammatory medication reduces inflammation.

You may have mild soreness at the injection for a day or two, which is normal.

How long do nerve blocks work?

Relief varies from person to person. Some people get relief for a few days, while others may enjoy weeks or even months of reduced pain. In some cases, a series of nerve blocks provides the best results. 

We may also use the information we gain from your nerve block to determine if you’re a candidate for radiofrequency ablation, a procedure that uses heat to disrupt the pain-transmitting nerve for longer-lasting relief. The nerve block helps us locate the exact nerve to target. It can also be used to predict response to peripheral nerve stimulation.

A nerve block is one of many treatment options for chronic pain. If you’re struggling with persistent pain and can’t get relief from medications or physical therapy, we can help. Our pain management specialists work together to find the source of your pain and use innovative treatments for lasting relief. 

For expert pain management from leaders in the field, contact Alliance Spine & Pain Centers, proudly serving patients throughout the greater Atlanta, Georgia, area.