NERVE BLOCKS
If you suffer from pain, numbness, and tingling please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What is a Nerve Block?
A nerve block involves an injection of medication near a nerve or group of nerves to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. Specialists perform this procedure with local anesthetics, steroids, or a combination of both, depending on the patient’s condition and treatment goals. The medication creates temporary numbness or pain relief in a specific area of the body, allowing patients to experience greater comfort during treatment or recovery.
Doctors use nerve blocks to manage pain before, during, and after surgery, as well as to treat chronic pain conditions and injuries. Specialists also perform nerve blocks to identify the source of certain types of pain by targeting specific nerves. Many patients benefit from reduced discomfort, improved movement, and decreased reliance on pain medications while recovering from medical procedures or injuries.
How Are Nerve Blocks Used?
Pain Specialists use different kinds of nerve blocks for other purposes.
- Therapeutic nerve blocks: used to treat painful conditions. Additionally, they contain a local anesthetic used to control acute pain.
- Diagnostic nerve blocks are used to determine the sources of pain. These blocks contain a short-term anesthetic that allows for the identification of the source of the pain signal through a process of elimination.
- Preemptive nerve blocks: used to prevent future pain that may occur from an upcoming procedure.
- Sympathetic nerve block: performed to determine the presence of damage to the sympathetic nerve chain, a network of nerves extending the length of the spine. These nerves control some of the body’s involuntary functions, such as regulating the diameter of blood vessels.
- Stellate ganglion block: This type of sympathetic nerve block helps reveal the existence of damage to the sympathetic nerve chain that supplies the head, neck, chest, or arms. Although primarily used as a diagnostic block, the stellate ganglion block may provide relief from pain for an extended period.
- Facet joint block: Also known as a zygapophysial joint block, this block determines whether the pain stems from a facet joint. Facet joints sit toward the back of the spine, where each vertebra overlaps with the next. These joints guide and restrict the spine’s movement.
Recovery After Getting a Nerve Block
After a nerve block, patients rest for a short period while healthcare providers monitor their response before discharge. Many patients notice temporary numbness or weakness in the treated area, so doctors recommend avoiding strenuous activity, driving, or operating heavy machinery until normal sensation and strength return. Most patients gradually resume daily activities as comfort improves, while following instructions about medications, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments. Patients should contact their healthcare provider if severe pain, prolonged weakness, signs of infection, or other unexpected symptoms develop during recovery.
If you would like to speak with an Orthopedic Spine Specialist in the DFW Metroplex, please call at 817-697-4038, or contact us online. Telemedicine appointments are also available.
