What is peripheral nerve block?
Nerve block is a treatment to prevent the transmission of pain through the nervous system. It consists in the administration of analgesic drugs by means of a needle or injection to achieve the suppression of the impulses that carry pain to the receptor centers. This system is especially responsible for treating the peripheral nerves located in a specific area.
In addition, the procedure for central peripheral nerve blockade is usually complemented by fluoroscopy (a method of obtaining X-ray images in real time) or CT (Computerized Axial Tomography) that will allow the physician to place the needle in the precise location. The effects of this technique are usually immediate but not long lasting. Also, depending on the severity of each patient, some people need several sessions to achieve real pain relief.
Why is it performed?
Peripheral nerve blocks are performed in order to treat pain during surgery and while the wound(s) caused by surgery heal.
Thus, people who suffer from some type of pain -whether chronic or not- can receive a nerve block injection to relieve -even temporarily- such pain.
The pain is often found or originates in the spine, although other areas that suffer from it with some frequency are the upper and lower extremities, the neck or the upper buttocks.
The patient will notice immediate pain relief.
What does the peripheral nerve block consist of?
The administration of a nerve block allows the affected or damaged nerve the necessary time to recover from a state of irritation. The nerve block also provides diagnostic information to the specialist.
Normally, the block will be performed on an outpatient basis, without the need for hospital admission after the procedure is performed. It usually lasts no longer than a quarter to half an hour.
The patient will wait on a stretcher, the physician must have access to the area where the injection will be performed, identifying the area by palpation or imaging guidance. The needle is carefully inserted into the skin until the specific depth point is found in order to administer the medication as close as possible to the nerve.
In the event that the injection is near a nerve or a major nerve group, such as the sciatic nerve, the specialist will tell the patient to raise his or her voice the moment he or she notices sudden pain. This means that the needle is too close to the nerve and will need to be repositioned.
In some cases, more than one injection may be needed, depending on the number of painful areas or the extent of the area to be covered.
After the injection, the patient will notice immediate relief of pain in the area where the injection has been made.
Preparation for peripheral nerve block
As a general rule, no special preparation is needed to perform a peripheral nerve block, at most a physical examination and anesthetic studies, as well as a review of the patient’s medical history.
It is possible that after the treatment the patient may need someone to accompany him/her home, by medical prescription, he/she may be instructed not to eat or drink for at least twelve hours.
Care after a peripheral nerve block
The patient will feel the extremity numb, with a tingling sensation or sensation of heaviness while the effect lasts.
The specialist has the power to prescribe additional medications to help combat pain in other parts of the body.
Alternatives to peripheral blockade
When it comes to combating pain, there are several alternatives:
- Physical therapy for pain
- Narcotic (opioid) and non-narcotic analgesics
- Nerve stimulation
- Surgery for pain relief
- Radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy