What It Is: A pudendal nerve block using the posterior approach is a procedure designed to alleviate pain in the pelvic region by targeting the pudendal nerve. This approach involves the patient laying on their stomach and precise placement of anesthetic and/or corticosteroid injections directly around the nerve, typically guided by fluoroscopy to ensure accuracy. The posterior approach accesses the nerve in an area away from the major pelvic organs, focusing on where the nerve courses near the buttocks and maintaining your privacy. This method is specifically chosen for its effectiveness in reaching the nerve with minimal invasiveness.

How It Will Help: This nerve block can provide significant relief from pain and discomfort associated with conditions affecting pelvic, genital, and anal regions, such as chronic pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, pain after childbirth, or pain due to anal fissures. By numbing the pudendal nerve, the procedure reduces pain signals sent to the brain, offering immediate and sometimes prolonged relief. This reduction in pain can improve mobility and quality of life, facilitating participation in physical therapy and daily activities. The effectiveness of this block can also help in determining the pudendal nerve as the source of pain if diagnostic clarity is needed.

Why It Is Safe: The posterior approach to the pudendal nerve block is considered safe due to the precision provided by imaging techniques such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy, which guide the injection and avoid damage to surrounding tissues. This localized treatment minimizes the risk of systemic side effects often associated with oral medications. The procedure is performed under sterile conditions, significantly reducing the risk of infection. Temporary side effects might include localized numbness or soreness at the injection site, but serious complications are very rare, making this a safe option for managing debilitating pelvic pain.