Selective Nerve Root Block
International Spine Intervention Society - Patient Information
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What is it?
A block that is performed to determine if a specific spinal nerve root
is the source of pain and reduce inflammation around the nerve root thus decreasing
or relieving the pain.
How is it done?
The patient is given a local anesthetic. The physician then locates,
under fluoroscopy, a specific spinal nerve root. A needle is introduced through
the skin into the area adjacent to the nerve root. Medication is then injected
into the area bathing the nerve root. The medications include an anesthetic
and steroid.
Expected Results
Relief of back and leg pain.
How long does it take?
Thirty minutes to one hour.
Glossary
Inflammation - Tissue reaction to irritation.
| Discogram |
| SNRB |
| Epidural |
| Facet |
| Sympathetic |
| Costovertebral |
| Stellate Ganglion |
| Neurotomy |
Posted on: August 11th, 2007
Last Updated on: February 1st, 2010
Last Updated on: February 1st, 2010
Peer Reviews by Leading Specialists
What is this?
Judicious use of selective injections can provide both therapeutic and diagnostic
benefits. Each shot is tailored to the specific anatomical area in question
and should never be combined in the same sitting. Each shot should be performed
to confirm or rule out a potential site of pain generation. In such an organized
fashion a spine specialist may be able to clarify what was previously a diagnostic
dilemma.
