Presbyterian Healthcare 
Nerve Root Block
| A nerve root block is an injection used to treat back or leg pain. |
This procedure helps your physician know which nerve branching out from your spinal column is causing your pain. The medicine used helps decrease swelling around the nerve root. This procedure is safe and has a very low complication rate. Possible problems include infection, injury to the nerves and blood vessels or reaction to the injected medications.
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To Prepare for the Exam
- Make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home. The test will be canceled if you do not have a driver.
- Eat a light meal (toast, cereal, soup) before the test.
- Bring insurance information and any forms your physician gave you that may be related to this procedure.
- Report to the Registration desk upon arrival.
How the Test Works
- You will be positioned on an x-ray table. You will lie on your stomach if the problem is in your lower back.
- The skin will be cleaned and the physician (Radiologist) will inject a medication to numb the skin and muscles.
- The physician (Radiologist) will then insert a tiny needle into your lower back near the nerve thought to be causing your pain. A dye (liquid contrast material) is injected through this needle to identify the nerve. This may cause your pain to worsen for a few seconds.
- Next, the physician (Radiologist) will inject medication to numb the nerve. If this nerve is the cause of your pain, you will feel an improvement for a few hours until the numbness wears off. He will also inject medication to reduce swelling and irritation around the nerve root. This will take effect a few days after the procedure.
What to Expect
- You may have some temporary numbness and weakness in your legs after the injection. When the numbing medication wears off, this should go away.
- While the nerve root is numb, you may to asked to repeat the activites that usually cause pain.
- You may experience soreness in the back a few days after the procedure.
- If the pain is not relieved by the procedure, the physician (Radiologist) may recommend performing the procedure again.
When to Call the Doctor
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If you experience any of the following problems, call the Radiology Department at Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital at 704-316-1410. If no answer call (704) 384-4056.
- Redness or swelling at the injection site
- Fever or chills
- Call your doctor if you experience pain not relieved by the usual methods of heat, ice, rest or medication.
Special Notes
The procedure should take about 15 to 20 minutes for each nerve treated.After the procedure, you will need to stay at the hospital from 30 minutes to two hours. The physician (Radiologist) will decide when you may go home.