Peripheral Nerve Block
The nerve block is designed to diagnose the precise origin of your pain and to relieve the pain. Please inform us if you are taking any blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medication or have any bleeding tendencies.
Do not take pain medication or use pain patches at least four hours prior to the block so that a true determination can be made about the effectiveness of the injection.
After the procedure, you may experience pain relief for a short time. Your pain may come back as the numbing medication wears off.
If steroids are administered it may take three to four days for the steroids to begin working and up to two weeks for the full therapeutic effect. The duration of pain relief from the steroid is variable with each person and is not predictable.
Description of the Procedure
The skin overlying the area is prepared with a cleansing solution. The injection is then made at the area of your pain to anesthetize the nerve at the site. Afterwards, you will be asked questions as to your perception of the pain relief and possibly be asked to perform those activities that normally aggravate your pain so that the pain relief can be assessed.
Benefits
The procedure may help determine whether your pain is coming from the nerve that is to be injected. There may be a reduction or elimination of your pain.
Potential Risks
- Infection
- bleeding
- bruising
- allergic reaction
- increased pain
- paralysis
- stroke or death
- increase in blood sugar
- internal vessel/organ puncture
Notify our office for:
- Fever
- chills
- temperature over 100 degrees
- vomiting
- persistent stiff neck
- severe headache
- progressive weakness
- numbness
- hives or trouble breathing
- rash
- itchiness
- red or flushed face
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- any redness, swelling or drainage at the site of the injection
Our office phone number is (317) 471-1400 or 1-855-664-3636.
