Nerve Blocks

A nerve block involves injecting medication, usually a local anesthetic, near a specific nerve or group of nerves to block pain signals. This can provide temporary pain relief and help pinpoint the source of your pain. The type of nerve block and the medication used will depend on the location and cause of your pain.

How to Prepare:

To ensure your nerve block procedure goes as smoothly as possible, there are a few things you can do to prepare beforehand. These steps will help us provide you with the best possible care:

• Discuss your medical history with your doctor: It's crucial to inform your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially bleeding disorders, infections, or if you are taking blood-thinning medications. They will determine if any special precautions are necessary.

• Inform your doctor about any allergies: Let your doctor know if you have any allergies, particularly to medications, latex, or local anesthetics.

• Medication review: Your doctor will review your current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and may ask you to stop taking certain ones before the procedure.

• Arrange for transportation: It's a good idea to have someone drive you home after the procedure, as you may experience some temporary numbness or weakness.
  

What to Expect?

Knowing what to expect during a medical procedure can often help reduce anxiety. This section provides a detailed overview of the nerve block process, explaining each step so you'll be fully informed before your appointment.

Positioning: You will be positioned comfortably depending on the location of the nerve being targeted.

Cleaning and numbing: The area where the injection will be administered will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A local anesthetic may be injected to numb the skin around the injection site.

Needle insertion: Using imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (X-ray) or ultrasound, the doctor will carefully guide a thin needle to the targeted nerve.

Medication injection: Once the needle is properly positioned, the medication will be injected. You may feel some pressure or a brief stinging sensation.

Monitoring: After the injection, you will be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no complications.

The entire nerve block procedure usually takes about 15-30 minutes, although this can vary.

Why are EMG & NCS Important?

Nerve blocks serve important purposes in both diagnosing the source of pain and providing effective treatment. Here's why they are used:

• Chronic pain

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Headaches

• Neuropathic pain (nerve pain)

• Pain associated with certain medical conditions
  

What Comes Next?

After the nerve block, you may experience some temporary numbness, weakness, or tingling in the treated area. This is normal and usually subsides within a few hours. You may also experience some mild soreness at the injection site. Your neurologist will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the injection site and manage any discomfort. The pain relief from a nerve block can vary in duration, lasting from a few hours to several months, depending on the type of nerve block and the medication used. Your physician will discuss the expected duration of relief and any follow-up care that may be needed.

At Knight Neurology, we strive to provide compassionate and comprehensive care. If you have any questions or concerns about your nerve block, please don't hesitate to ask. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Call us at (321) 345-6331 or schedule an appointment online today.