Nerve Blocks

The Different Types of Nerve Blocks 

Selective Nerve Blocks

Selective nerve blocks can instantly relieve or diagnose pain. X-ray technology known as fluoroscopy enables us to pinpoint the exact source of your pain by blocking pain signals for specific nerves.

A local anesthetic is used with this technique, so the procedure is painless. Once the injection site is numb, the physician carefully guides a needle into the affected joint, using the fluoroscope to confirm correct needle position, allowing medications and anesthetic to be injected directly into the joint.

Nerve blocks are often used to treat pain caused by damaged or diseased nerves in the spine. Different types of nerve blocks are used to treat pain in different areas.

The Costovertebral Block

The costovertebral block allows pain-relieving and steroid medication to be injected into the costovertebral joints, the joints that connect the ribs and the vertebrae, to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

The Lumbar Sympathetic Block

The lumbar sympathetic block targets the nerves along both sides of the spine which control digestion, circulation, and other bodily functions. Delivering pain relief and steroid medication to these nerves can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Medial Branch Blocks

Medial branch blocks are used as a diagnostic procedure, to help identify whether a facet joint is the source of pain, and if so, which one specifically. The facets are the joints between the vertebrae that allow flexion of the spine, and when medications injected into the facets relieve pain, the diagnosis is confirmed.

The Celiac Plexus Block

The celiac plexus block targets the nerves of the celiac plexus, which connects the abdominal organs. A celiac plexus block can relieve pain caused by conditions including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.