Nerve Blocks in Scottsdale, AZ

Nerve blocks may be performed at Southwest Spine & Sports as a means to confirm a specific diagnosis and/or decrease pain, inflammation, and numbness in the neck, back, limbs, or posterior nerves of the spine. At our Scottsdale, AZ office, we provide two main types of nerve blocks: selective nerve root blocks and medial branch blocks.

What Is A Selective Nerve Root Block?

Selective nerve root blocks are similar to epidural injections, and the preparation and approach is identical. Epidural refers to the space outside the dura or covering of the spinal cord and inside the spinal canal, running the length of the spinal cord. This specific type of epidural injection can be both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. A small quantity of a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, and a steroid are injected at the nerve root that is suspected to be involved. The patient logs any changes in his/her pain levels at different intervals after the procedure. A physical examination and this log allow the physician to observe the response. Because the dose is so small, only one nerve root is affected by the numbing agent, which helps to diagnose which nerve is causing pain, and can also help relieve pain and inflammation.

What Is A Medial Branch Block?

Medial branch nerves are located on the back of the spine on each side next to each facet joint. They send sensory signals to the brain regarding the facet joints. Medial branch blocks block the sensory signals by injecting medications onto the nerve.

Selective Nerve Root Block

You may be given the option to receive conscious sedation, which is medication given intravenously to help you relax during the procedure. If sedation is required, you will be monitored closely with an EKG monitor, blood pressure cuff, and blood oxygen monitoring device.

A local anesthetic will be used before the actual injection to diminish discomfort. The physician then locates, under fluoroscopy (X-ray), a specific anatomical target site or location that is near the problem area. Contrast is used to confirm proper needle placement through the foramen or opening where the spinal nerve exits at the level where the disc and nerve injury has occurred. The medication – anesthetic and steroid – is delivered specifically between the disc and nerve interface and along the course of the nerve that is causing the majority of the symptoms.

Medial Branch Block

You will be asked to lie nearly flat on your stomach. Under local anesthesia, using X-ray guidance, a small needle is positioned along the facet joint nerves (medial branches). A small injection of dye may be used to check positioning. Medication is then injected. Each injection takes about 15 minutes. Multiple levels on either one or both sides may be performed in the same session depending upon your symptoms.