At Blackberry Clinic our pain clinic and musculoskeletal medicine doctors are highly trained and skilled in offering pain relieving spinal injections. Here we answer some questions you may have if you require a nerve root block injection for pain relief.
What are Nerve Root Block injections?
These injections are given to various areas of the spinal nerves at the point at which they leave the spine at their root. You can have lumbar (low back) or cervical (neck) nerve root block injections. The injection is a mix of anaesthetic and steroid which work together to numb the root for immediate relief and to reduce inflammation over the next few weeks. If the pain reduces during the procedure this helps confirm the accuracy of the diagnosis.
Conditions treated by Nerve Root Block Injections
This type of injection is given to diagnose and treat pain that travels down the leg usually caused by a prolapsed (slipped) disc where the disc bulge presses on the nerve root. Another condition this is used for is spinal stenosis which is when the opening for the root is restricted by bony narrowing due to arthritis and the root becomes irritated. The pressure on the nerve root causes inflammation and swelling which then causes pain to be referred down the leg.
Arm pain from a slipped disc in the neck is also treated by nerve block injections.
Treatment For
What is the procedure?
You will have a thorough assessment to see if this treatment is appropriate and the treatment will be explained to you. You will be taken to our fluoroscopy theatre so the doctor can use the x ray or ultrasound equipment for guidance in placing the needle. The doctor will explain what is happening throughout the procedure and you will be closely monitored. You will have to lie on your front for the procedure and stay lying down for a short while afterwards. Your leg may feel weak and a bit numb for a while and you should not drive for the rest of the day.
Is it painful?
Local anaesthetic is used so it is not an excessively painful procedure. The doctor can administer extra pain relief if you do feel pain and will ask you throughout the procedure if you are ok and coping with the treatment.
Will I need more than one injection?
You will be booked in for a follow up and progress report and the doctor will decide then on any further treatment if appropriate. It is important to book in with one of our practitioners so they can guide you in a programme of gradual return to full fitness.
How long will it take to work?
You may not feel any benefit for the first day or two and may even feel slightly worse for a couple of days. This does not mean the outcome will be negative and if you have any concerns you can ring Blackberry Clinic and you will always have a follow up to discuss your progress and any further treatment with the doctor.
Clinicians offering this treatment
Dr Simon Petrides, Dr Tom Saw, Dr Ramy Mansour, Dr Deepak Ravindran, Dr Udaya Chakka, Dr Vinay Ketkar, Mr Purna Banerjee, Dr Rangu Iyer, Dr Meera Tewani, Dr Shyam Balasubramanian, Dr Bernard Nawarski, Dr Sunny Nayee
Clinics offering this treatment
Blackberry Clinic Milton Keynes, Blackberry Clinic Oxford, Blackberry Clinic Guildford, Blackberry Clinic Havant
