This transmission is usually reflected in the brain in the form of pain. Nerve blocks or nerve blockade is a treatment method that involves injecting local anesthetic substances into the nerves where the pain occurs and thus stopping the pain.
What are nerve blocks?
Nerve blocks are a widely used and effective method for pain treatment. Nerve blockade is the process of blocking the nerves that transmit pain to the brain. Nerve blocks are applied with drugs called local anesthetics that stop the transmission in the relevant nerves. The duration of the block provided varies depending on the local anesthetic used, and the effect usually disappears within 4-8 hours. Neurolytic blockade is used to extend the block period, especially in chronic and damaging pain. Many pains can be controlled with nerve blockade treatment.
Types of nerve blocks
Nerve blocks applied according to the cause and location of the pain are listed as follows:
- Gasserian ganglion blockade (in trigeminal neuralgia)
- Occipital Nerve Blockade (Headaches, occipital neuralgias, burning mouth syndrome, etc.)
- Cervical epidural steroid injection
- Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection
- Facet joint injections
- Facet Medial branch blocks
- Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
- Stellate Ganglion Block
- Lumbar Sympathetic Block
- Splanchnic Plexus Block
- Celiac Plexus Block
- Hypogastric Plexus Block
- Ganglion Imperial Block
- Provocative Discogram
- Discography
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks
How is nerve blockade treatment applied?
Nerve blockade treatment should be applied by a doctor who is an expert in algiology in a sterile environment. In the first stage of the treatment, the nerves that cause pain are detected with nerve stimulators, scopy or ultrasound imaging and temporarily numbed with local anesthesia. If the patient’s pain goes away in this first stage, it is understood that they are suitable for nerve blockade treatment and the nerves are destroyed in a controlled manner. In the procedure, neurolytic blocks are injected with thin needles only into the nerve fibers that cause pain. After approximately 15 minutes of application, patients can return to their daily lives without any problems. The effects of nerve blocks vary from patient to patient and can last for months.
Who can receive nerve blocks?
Nerve blocks can be applied to patients with the following diseases and complaints:
- Pain caused by cancer,
- Headaches and migraine pains,
- Chronic pain that does not respond to other treatments,
- Facet joint pain,
- Sacroiliac pains.
Nerve block side effects
Nerve blockade is a safe method when performed by a specialist. Before this procedure, it should be known whether the patient is sensitive or allergic to local anesthetics. In rare cases, effects such as infection of the injection site, nausea, and low/high blood pressure may occur after nerve blockade.