This is done in case of neck pain with radiating pain to the arm or back pain with radiating pain to the leg/foot. The procedure includes placing the needle close to the affected nerve as it exits the spinal column. It is done with the help of x ray machine or ultrasound. Then a small amount of contrast dye is given to identify the correct placement of the needle. Once the needle position is confirmed, medication is injected. The medicine reduces the pain and inflammation caused by the pressure on that nerve. After the pain reduction, patient is advised strengthening exercises to prolong the effect of the procedure.
This procedure is required when the nerve gets inflamed or irritated with disc herniation or degenerative changes in the spine.
Nerve block can be performed at multiple level safely, if more than one nerve is suspected to be the cause of pain.