There are several different types of nerve blocks that can provide pain relief after an accident. Epidural nerve blocks can provide neck, back and spine pain by blocking the nerve’s ability to send pain signals from that area to the brain, and facet joint blocks help determine if the facet joints in the back are the source of the pain. But today, we’re going to focus on medial nerve blocks.
Medial Nerve Blocks
A medial branch nerve block disrupts pain signals sent from the medical nerves to the brain. These nerves are located near the facet joints, and nerve blocks in these areas have many uses. They are often used to relieve pain in two many areas, the neck and the spine.
A medial nerve block injection is actually pretty straightforward. Patients with back pain will be asked to lie on their stomach, while those with neck pain will often be positioned on their side. The skin will be cleansed with a local anesthetic, then the doctor will administer the injection to the area housing the medial branch nerves. A very small amount of long-acting anesthetic is injected to the region, and patients say pain relief occurs within minutes.
Common Questions About Medial Nerve Blocks
Here are some common questions about medial branch nerve blocks.
- Will it Hurt? – Most patients say the injection is painless, especially compared to the pain they are living with on a daily basis. You may feel a slight pinch in the region of the injection sight when the needle breaks the skin, but otherwise the procedure is rather painless.
- How Long Will It Last – Injections are great for providing short-term relief, but they should not be viewed as a permanent solution. Relief from a pain injection can last hours or days, but they typically wear off after a while.
- What are the Risks of Medial Nerve Blocks – The procedure is very safe, but all operations involve some risks. In rare cases patients may develop an infection, nerve damage or bleeding.
- Who Shouldn’t Get a Medial Nerve Block? – Individuals who are allergic to certain medications, who are on blood thinners, or who have an active infection should not pursue a medial nerve block.
- How Long Does The Nerve Block Take? – The medial nerve injection takes only a few minutes to administer.
If you have any other questions about the nerve block or you are experiencing back or neck pain and want relief, contact Revive MD today!
