A typical cervical selective nerve root block injection procedure takes about 30 minutes and involves these general steps:
To begin a cervical selective nerve root block procedure, your doctor will have you set up in a procedure room with the area of your neck to be injected exposed and sterilized. He or she will then inject a local anesthetic into your skin over the painful area.
With the help of fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance) and contrast dye, your doctor positions the needle near the nerve that is suspected of being the cause of your pain. Sometimes ultrasound is used to help visualize where to place the needle instead of fluoroscopy.
When your doctor is satisfied that the needle is in the correct position, she or he will inject both lidocaine, a type of anesthetic, as well as a steroid, such as cortisone, around the nerve root near the point of irritation.
After the cervical selective nerve root block, most people can go home soon and are advised to take things easy the rest of the day.
If a cervical selective nerve block at least temporarily relieves the pain, it can also play a key role in confirming which nerve is causing the pain. A cervical selective nerve root block injection can be used to both diagnose and treat an inflamed spinal nerve.
Although the effects of the anesthetic wear off relatively quickly, the effects of the steroid shot typically last for a longer period of time. This in turn can help reduce inflammation (and thereby relieve your pain), and also promote the healing of the irritated nerve.
Estimates for the efficacy of cervical selective nerve root blocks vary. One study found that 67% of patients reported significant reduction in pain at 3 months after the injection, and 57% still reported benefits at 6 months after the injection. 1
While a cervical selective nerve root block is generally considered a low-risk procedure when performed by a qualified medical professional, risks and complications may include: