What It Is: A nerve block with corticosteroid is a medical procedure that involves injecting a corticosteroid and anesthetic near specific nerves to reduce inflammation and interrupt pain signals to the brain. This technique can target various nerves based on the location of pain, including the brachial plexus nerves (which serve the upper limb), femoral nerves (front of the thigh), sciatic nerves (back of the leg, from hip to foot), maxillary or mandibular divisions of the trigeminal nerve (face), obturator nerve (inner thigh), pudendal nerves (pelvic area), suprascapular nerves (shoulder region) and much more! These injections are typically guided by imaging technologies such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy to ensure precise placement of the medication.

How It Will Help: By delivering medication directly to the area around the nerve or nerve group, these blocks can significantly reduce pain and inflammation in the affected region. For instance, a brachial plexus block can help alleviate pain from surgery or injury in the arm or shoulder, while a sciatic nerve block can assist with lower back and leg pain. The femoral nerve block is often used for postoperative pain relief following leg surgeries. Maxillary or mandibular nerve blocks can address severe facial pain such as that caused by trigeminal neuralgia, dental procedures, or sinus issues. Pudendal nerve blocks are useful in managing pain associated with conditions like pudendal neuralgia or childbirth recovery. Each block aims to improve quality of life by enabling better mobility, reduced pain, and decreased need for oral pain medications.

Why It Is Safe: Nerve blocks with corticosteroids are generally safe when performed by experienced healthcare providers. The use of imaging guidance minimizes the risk of injury to surrounding tissues and ensures that the medication is delivered accurately. The localized nature of the treatment limits the systemic absorption of corticosteroids, reducing the potential for side effects that are more common with oral or systemic steroid use. Most patients experience immediate pain relief with minimal complications. Common side effects may include temporary numbness or weakness in the injected area, which typically resolves within a few hours. More serious risks, such as infection or nerve damage, are rare but are carefully monitored for in clinical settings.