Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Unlocking Relief through Peripheral Nerve Blocks.
Pain, an incessant visitor to many lives, can be debilitating, stripping away the joys of everyday activities. However, in the realm of pain management, hope emerges through innovative techniques like peripheral nerve blocks. These procedures, often hailed as beacons of relief, target specific nerves responsible for pain, offering respite where traditional methods falter. Delve deeper into the world of peripheral nerve blocks with us, as we unravel their mechanisms, benefits, and applications in the pursuit of alleviating pain and restoring quality of life.
Pain, an incessant visitor to many lives, can be debilitating, stripping away the joys of everyday activities. However, in the realm of pain management, hope emerges through innovative techniques like peripheral nerve blocks. These procedures, often hailed as beacons of relief, target specific nerves responsible for pain, offering respite where traditional methods falter. Delve deeper into the world of peripheral nerve blocks with us, as we unravel their mechanisms, benefits, and applications in the pursuit of alleviating pain and restoring quality of life.
Understanding Peripheral Nerve Blocks: Deciphering the Mechanisms
Peripheral nerve blocks involve the precise administration of anesthetic agents or other medications near nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals. By interrupting the neural pathways, these blocks effectively dampen or eliminate pain perception in the targeted area. Unlike systemic medications, which may cause widespread side effects, nerve blocks offer localized relief with minimal systemic impact, making them an attractive option for various pain conditions.
Peripheral nerve blocks are generally done to control pain arising from a nerve, also known as a neuralgia. Nerve injury can be caused by trauma, compression, ischemia, or toxic exposure to a nerve. The block involves the injection of a local anesthetic with a steroid in proximity to the injured nerve to decrease the conduction of pain signals along the nerve. In cases of specific sensory nerves, cold (cryotherapy) or heat (radiofrequency lesioning) can be utilized to provide a longer term nerve block of up to 6-9 months. Neurolytic substances such as phenol or alcohol can be used in cases of terminal illness to provide long term and compassionate pain relief.
The procedure typically involves the use of ultrasound or nerve stimulation guidance to pinpoint the exact location for injection, ensuring accuracy and efficacy. Once administered, the effects of nerve blocks may last anywhere from several hours to several months, depending on the type of medication used and individual response. Complications from a Peripheral Nerve block are rare, but include bruising, infection, or nerve injury. Ice can be applied to the injection site for up to 20 minutes three times a day on the day or two after the procedure to minimize local inflammation from the injection.
Commonly performed peripheral nerve blocks include:
Median nerve blocks for carpal tunnel syndrome
Ilioinguinal nerve blocks for groin pain after hernia surgery, or due to compression from tight fitting belts, or trauma.
Neuroma injections for Morton’s neuroma, or neuroma formation after surgical injury to a nerve (Neuroma is a benign growth on nerves that spontaneously transmit pain signals)
Sciatic or femoral nerve blocks for leg or knee pain
Occipital Nerve Block for Occipital Neuralgia
Intercostal Nerve Block for intercostal neuralgias
Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Injection for Meralgia Paresthetica
Genicular Nerve Block for knee pain
Commonly performed peripheral nerve blocks include:
