Nerve blocking
Nerve blocks can help with chronic pain such as lower back pain, neck pain, lumbar disc herniation, pinal stenosis, complex regional pain syndrome, shingles or cancer. Nerve blocks are temporary, semi-permanent or permanent. Key to a successful nerve block is targeting the right nerve. Some people may benefit from one attempt. Others, with more complex pain problems, may need more. If your pain is not controlled within 4 to 6 months, your doctor may consider other pain treatments.
- Temporary nerve blocking is done with a combination of a local anaesthetic, adrenaline (a stimulant), an anti-inflammatory steroid and/or opioid pain killers injected into the painful area. Injection nerve blocks ttypically offer temporary pain relief
- Semi-permanent nerve blocking can be achieved with cryoanalgesia (destruction of nerves by freezing) and may relieve pain for weeks or even months until the body repairs the damage
- Permanent nerve blocking can be done with radio frequency ablation to destroy nerve tissue using heat. Radio frequency ablation may be more accurate than older methods of permanent nerve block such as injection of alcohol, phenol or glycerin. They would sometimes destroy more nerves than was originally intended. Although radiofrequency ablation is meant to be permanent, the nerves may grow back again in a year or so. If this happens the pain can sometimes be worse when it returns
Nerve blocking is usually done as an outpatient. You may have side effects or complications which include infection, allergic reactions and increased pain.
Last updated: 22 Sep 2010
Nerve blocks can help with chronic pain
