What Are Selective Nerve Root Blocks?
Nerve roots exit the spinal cord and form nerves that travel into the arms, legs, and chest. These nerve roots may become inflamed and painful due to compression or irritation from conditions like herniated discs or bone spurs. A selective nerve root block (SNRB) involves using a fluoroscopic-guided injection to place a temporary anesthetic (numbing) medication around a particular nerve root. The physician uses the response to this injection to determine whether or not this nerve root is the source of pain. By confirming or denying the source of a patient’s typical pain, this injection provides information allowing for proper treatment.
SNRBs can help physicians diagnose the specific nerve root responsible for a patient’s pain. By observing the patient’s response to the injection, the specialists at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians can better understand the underlying cause of the pain and develop a more targeted treatment plan.