What is a peripheral nerve block?

Peripheral nerves are any nerves that are located outside of the spinal cord. These nerves can be injured through trauma such as crush injuries or fractures where the broken bone pushes on a nerve. Other causes of peripheral nerve pain result from scar tissue or possible compression of the nerve while it travels through muscles or certain bones. Peripheral nerve blocks are performed in order to provide pain relief by numbing the injured nerve.

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Who is a candidate for peripheral nerve blocks?

This injection is commonly performed when:

• Pain in an area follows the path of a specific nerve

• A nerve conduction study shows damage to a specific nerve

• A history of specific nerve damage especially from trauma or compression

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What are some of the conditions that these injections are used for?

• Occipital neuralgia​​

• Rib pain

• Groin pain

• Wrist pain

• Hand pain

• Leg pain

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What to expect during the procedure?

This procedure involves identifying the nerve involved by the pattern of pain that the patient experiences. This can easily be accomplished by performing a thorough physical exam. In certain situations, a nerve conduction study can be done as well to pinpoint the exact nerve involved. When a diagnosis is made, an injection containing a numbing medication and sometimes a steroid is injected around the nerve. The numbing medication blocks the pain and results in pain relief.

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For more information or to discuss an appropriate treatment plan for your nerve pain with one of our specialized pain management physicians, call Saint Louis Spine and Joint Pain Specialists today.

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