What is a selective nerve root block?
A selective nerve root block is an injection that is performed to determine if a specific spinal nerve root is the source of your pain and reduce inflammation around the nerve root thus decreasing or relieving the pain.
What is the Purpose of the selective nerve root block?
To treat back and/or leg pain that may be due to inflammation around a specific nerve root. However, it will not correct the medical problems causing the inflammation but may improve the level of pain you are experiencing. It is not unusual to need more than one injection to obtain long-term benefit. These injections are usually done in a series of three, a month apart if needed.
What are the risks of the procedure?
Some risks, although remote include: bleeding, infection, nerve injury, And allergic reaction to the medication(s). Diabetics may have short-term elevation of blood sugars. People prone to fluid retention may have increased fluid retention for 1-2 weeks.