Medically reviewed by Derek Wimmer, PA Updated
A nerve block is an image-guided injection of anesthetic (sometimes with an anti-inflammatory) around a specific nerve to interrupt pain signals. Nerve blocks are used both therapeutically — to relieve nerve-related pain — and diagnostically, to confirm which structure is generating symptoms before further treatment decisions.
| Type | Targeted anesthetic injection |
|---|---|
| Guidance | Image-guided |
| Purpose | Therapeutic and diagnostic |
| Setting | In-office |
How nerve blocks work
Pain travels along specific nerves. By placing medication precisely around the nerve involved — under image guidance — a block can interrupt those signals, providing relief that ranges from hours to much longer depending on the medication and condition.
Two jobs: relief and answers
Beyond relief, a block is one of the most useful diagnostic tools in orthopedic pain care: if numbing a specific nerve eliminates your pain, we've confirmed the source. That clarity often shapes the rest of your plan.
- Targeted relief for nerve-related and radiating pain
- Diagnostic confirmation of the pain generator
- Image-guided precision, performed in-office
- Coordinated with your broader non-surgical plan
What to expect
After evaluation, the injection is performed with image guidance and takes only minutes. Temporary numbness in the nerve's territory is expected. We will review your response together — it tells us a great deal about the next best step.
Terms to know
- Nerve block
- A targeted injection intended to interrupt pain signals from a selected nerve or area.
- Image-guided injection
- An injection performed while the clinician uses real-time imaging to see the treatment area.
- Fluoroscopy
- Real-time X-ray imaging used to guide selected procedures.
