A nerve root block is the injection of a local anesthetic and a steroid medication around a nerve root.

Why is a nerve block preformed?

The nerve root block is used to diagnosis the cause of your pain and to treat your pain.  The results can help a surgeon to determine where to perform the surgery.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

• You MUST have someone with you to drive home.
• You may have clear liquids after midnight until 2 hours before your appointment and the nothing to eat or drink. Clear liquids include Jell-O, broth, 7-Up, tea, coffee and apple juice.  No milk or milk products. You may take all your normal medications, including pain medication with a sip of water.
• If you are diabetic or have a bleeding disorder or take medications such as Coumadin, Lovenox, or Plavix that affect your bleeding, please call us at 570-271-6621.
• Bring a list of your medications including dose and how often you take them.
• Please bring with you any X-rays or MRI films and reports not done at Geisinger Medical Center.
• You should plan on being here 2 to 4 hours.
• Your exam and/or treatment will be done in Pain Therapy, Abigail Clinic 2

What happens during the procedure?

• You will be place on your stomach.
• The area to be injected will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• The area to be injected will be numbed with a local anesthetic.
• The doctor will use fluoroscopy (a special x-ray technique) to guide placement of the needle to the area of the involved nerve. You may feel a small "electric shock" sensation when the needle reaches the proper position.
• When the needle is in the proper position a small amount of local anesthetic and steroid will be injected around the nerve root.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure takes 20-30 minutes.

What complications might occur?

• Fever
• Infection at injection site
• Bleeding

What happens after the procedure?

You will be taken to our recovery area where your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored for 15-20 min.  You will be offered liquids.  Discharge instructions will be reviewed and you will receive a copy of them when your check out.

Discharge instructions

• No strenuous activity for 24 hours after the injection. 
• Do Not drive or operate machinery until the next day.
• Take your usual pain medications or prescriptions as written.
• You may eat your normal diet.
  

Temporary side effects

• Numbness and tingling in extremities
• Headache
• Increased blood sugar in diabetic patients
• Increased pain the first 48 hours

Warnings: Call Pain Medicine, 570-271-6621

• Fever greater then 101 degrees
• Redness, swelling or pus-like drainage at injection site
• Severe headache

Return your follow-up questionnaire in the envelope provided in 7-10 days.

Your return appointment will be scheduled when you check out.

If you have any problems or concerns, please call us at 570-271-6621 Monday through Friday 7:30 to 4:30.  If it is after hours, call 570-271-6211 and ask for the Chronic Pain physician on call.