Nerve Blocks Treatment
Nerve Block Injections for Chronic Pain in Maryland
Living with chronic pain is no walk in the park. Many people seek treatment after treatment, seldom finding one that addresses all of their symptoms. When medication and physical therapy aren’t enough, the team at Greater Maryland Pain Management turns to nerve blocks. This pain management technique essentially “turns off” the pain and allows patients to get back to doing what they love. Learn more about how nerve block injections can help you.
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What Is a Nerve Block?
At its simplest, a nerve block is a medical procedure that stops the transmission of pain signals. Usually, you can rely on your nerves to alert you to pain, but when those nerves are damaged, they may send pain signals when there’s no immediate danger. A nerve block injection delivers a local anesthetic or anti-inflammatory steroid to a specific group of nerves to essentially turn them off.
What Are the Types of Nerve Blocks?
Because nerves run throughout every inch of the human body, there are many different types of blocks. The specific injection you receive depends entirely on where your pain is located. Here are some of the most common nerve block injections:
- Genicular Nerve Block—This block is specifically designed for chronic knee pain. It’s widely used for osteoarthritis, especially in patients who aren’t candidates for total knee replacement surgery.
- Occipital Nerve Block—If you suffer from chronic migraines, this block may be the solution. The injection targets the nerves located at the back of the head and can provide significant relief for shooting, zapping pains.
- Pudendal Nerve Block—A pudendal nerve block helps treat chronic pelvic pain and is often used to relieve endometriosis pain.
- Cluneal Nerve Block—Irritation in the cluneal nerves can cause lower back pain and radiate into the glutes. A block helps distinguish this pain from general sciatica and lumbar spine issues.
- Femoral Nerve Block—This is one of the most common blocks used for surgery on the leg. You might receive this nerve block during knee surgeries or after hip fractures to provide effective pain relief quickly.
- Intercostal Nerve Block—This block is used to treat pain in the chest wall or upper abdomen. It’s particularly helpful for patients suffering from shingles or those recovering from chest surgery.
- Suprascapular Nerve Block—For chronic shoulder pain, the suprascapular nerve block is a go-to treatment. By reducing pain signals in the shoulder, patients can often participate more readily in physical therapy.
- Axillary Nerve Block—By blocking the nerves in the armpit (axilla), doctors can numb the entire arm. In many cases, this nerve block helps reduce recovery time after surgery.
- Ilioinguinal Nerve Block—This block targets the nerve responsible for sensation in the groin and lower abdomen. It’s often used to manage pain following hernia repair surgeries or for chronic groin pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
What Can I Expect After a Nerve Block Injection?
After a nerve block injection, you might feel numbness around the injection site. However, this is a good sign— it means the local anesthetic has taken effect. Your doctor may ask you to monitor your pain levels over the next few hours and let them know if you’ve felt any relief. Some patients also experience temporary muscle weakness after certain nerve blocks, so be sure to ask someone else to drive you home after your appointment. Mild soreness may persist for a few days but typically resolves on its own.
How Long Does a Nerve Block Last?
Every patient is different, and the longevity of your results will depend on your condition and the specific nerve block you received. If you got an injection for short-term relief, you can expect the nerve block to wear off within a few days. However, if you receive an injection for long-term pain relief, you could enjoy reduced pain for a few weeks or even several months. Always talk to your doctor about what results you can expect in your specific case.
Is a Nerve Block Right for You?
Nerve blocks are an excellent way to relieve chronic pain for many patients. If you’re struggling with constant knee pain or want relief from lower back issues, talk to the team at Greater Maryland Pain Management. We help people throughout Maryland find effective ways to say goodbye to chronic pain. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
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