A neck block, specifically a cervical selective nerve root block, is a medical procedure used to diagnose and sometimes treat nerve pain in the neck. It involves injecting medication near specific nerve roots in the cervical spine (neck).
Understanding Cervical Nerve Root Blocks
A variety of conditions can cause pain in the neck, potentially radiating into the shoulders and arms. These conditions often affect the nerves in the cervical spine. A cervical selective nerve root block is designed to help pinpoint the exact source of the pain.
How it Works
The procedure involves the following:
- Targeting Specific Nerves: The injection is strategically placed near a suspected nerve root.
- Medication Injection: A local anesthetic and sometimes a corticosteroid are injected.
- Pain Relief and Diagnosis:
- The local anesthetic provides temporary pain relief.
- If the pain is relieved, it suggests the targeted nerve root is the source of pain.
- The corticosteroid can reduce inflammation and provide longer-term pain relief in some cases.
Why is it Done?
Here are the main reasons for performing a neck block:
- Diagnosis: It helps identify which specific nerve root is causing the pain.
- Treatment: It provides pain relief from nerve pain caused by inflammation or compression.
Benefits
Here is a summary of the benefits:
- Pinpointing Pain Source: It accurately identifies the specific nerve root causing pain.
- Pain Management: It provides temporary to long-term pain relief.
- Minimally Invasive: It is generally considered a low-risk procedure.
Conditions Treated
The following types of conditions are commonly treated with a neck block:
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Pain caused by a pinched nerve in the neck.
- Herniated Disc: A ruptured disc pressing on a nerve in the neck.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress nerves.
- Nerve inflammation: Inflammation of the nerves in the neck.
Example:
Imagine a patient experiencing radiating pain from their neck down to their arm. A neck block can help determine which specific nerve in the neck is causing this issue. The pain relief after the block can help the doctors understand the nerve issue better.
