What is a selective nerve root block?
A selective nerve root block procedure is a targeted injection that is typically used by your surgeon and pain doctor to diagnose and/or treat the cause of pain. A small amount of numbing medicine and/or steroid medication is deposited around a specific nerve root(s) in the neck, chest, or low back. This is performed using X-ray guidance and is highly specific to a certain area.
What should I expect after a selective nerve root block?
As this is a diagnostic procedure, it is important for you to pay close attention to your pain complaint during the initial 24 hours after the block and document this in the provided pain diary.
What happens after a selective nerve root block?
Depending on the context, the information from the selective nerve root block may be used to plan additional interventional procedures or even surgery. Be sure to discuss the specifics of your response with your doctor, so that you can make a plan moving forward.
