Nerve Block in Tulsa, OK
Our Services
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, nerve blocks may offer the relief you’re looking for. At Memorial Pain Clinic in Tulsa, OK, our expert team specializes in administering nerve blocks to effectively manage pain and improve quality of life. By targeting specific nerves, a nerve block injection can interrupt pain signals to the brain, providing immediate relief from conditions like chronic back pain, sciatica, and migraines. In other words, they help diagnose and treat painful conditions.
Nerve blocks are often the solution for patients who have not achieved relief from their pain with medications or physical therapy. Our state-of-the-art facility and compassionate staff ensure a safe and supportive environment for your treatment. To schedule an appointment with us, please call our office at 918-200-9944.
What Is a Nerve Block?
The human nervous system is an amazingly vast and complex network controlled by the brain, and governs almost every action you take in life, from luxuriating in soft sheets to snatching your hand away from an open flame.
It’s this second function that defines the role of your nerves as the protector of your body. Your nerves alert you to danger and signal you when something is wrong. They can be persistent in their warning.
If you’re experiencing pain, an effective way to control it is to prevent the sensation from forming in the first place, which is what your doctor at Memorial Pain Clinic does through a nerve block.
By injecting a local anesthetic with steroids directly into your nerves, your doctor helps you control debilitating pain while avoiding invasive surgical solutions.
Nerve Block vs Epidural Injection
A nerve block and an epidural injection are both pain management procedures, but they differ in their approach:
- A nerve block targets specific nerves to block pain signals to the brain.
- An epidural injection delivers medication into the epidural space around the spinal cord to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
While both procedures can provide temporary pain relief, nerve blocks are often used for more targeted relief, whereas epidural injections are often used for broader, regional pain relief.
If you’re wondering whether a nerve block or epidural injection in Tulsa is right for you, contact Memorial Pain to schedule a consultation.
Types of Nerve Blocks
A nerve block can help relieve pain while also serving as a diagnostic tool. There are also many different types of nerve blocks that vary depending on the part of the body they are used on. Below, we outline some of the most popular types of nerve blocks.
- Therapeutic nerve blocks
- Diagnostic nerve blocks
- Celiac plexus block
- Stellate ganglion block
- Occipital nerve block
- Genicular nerve block
- Pudendal nerve block
- Femoral nerve block
- Suprascapular nerve block
- Intercostal nerve block
- Inferior alveolar nerve block
- Popliteal nerve block
- Infraorbital nerve block
- Saphenous nerve block
- Interscalene nerve block
- Cluneal nerve block
- Ilioinguinal nerve block
- Axillary nerve block
Nerve Block Side Effects
While complications of nerve blocks are rare, it is important for patients to be aware of potential side effects before undergoing any procedure. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder or any other condition that may affect the safety of the injections.
Some potential side effects of nerve blocks include the following.
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Soreness or bruising at the injection site
- Nerve damage (rare)
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the affected area lasting up to 24 hours
- Allergic reaction to the anesthetic medication
- Blockage of the wrong nerve (rare)
Nerve Block Long-Term Side Effects
You may be wondering, “When should I call my healthcare provider about nerve block side effects?” The short answer is that it is very unlikely that you will experience any side effects, let alone long-term side effects. However, if you experience any of the following side effects, we recommend calling your provider as soon as possible.
- Nerve injury (rare)
- Damage to surrounding tissues (rare)
- Inflammation around the nerve
- Dependence on the nerve block
- Gastroparesis
- Hoarseness
- Drooping eyes
- Difficulty swallowing
What Happens If a Nerve Block Doesn’t Wear Off?
If a nerve block doesn’t wear off, it can lead to prolonged numbness, weakness, or tingling in the affected area. This can be a sign of nerve damage, which can be permanent in rare cases. In some instances, the nerve block can cause a condition called “chronic nerve block,” where the nerve remains blocked for an extended period, leading to ongoing symptoms.
It’s essential to seek medical attention if the effects of the nerve block persist or worsen over time, as prompt treatment can help minimize long-term damage. Although it is one of the rare risks of nerve blocks, it is likely that your healthcare provider may be able to help minimize long-term damage.
What Can a Nerve Block Treat?
The benefits of a nerve block are many, as they can treat many areas of the body. Specifically, nerve blocks can help treat pain in the following areas.
- Back
- Spinal canal
- Legs, including your knees
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Arms, including your elbows and wrists
- Hips
- Tailbone
How Is the Nerve Block Administered?
To prepare for a nerve block, your doctor administers the nerve block using fluoroscopic (X-ray) imaging to ensure that they inject the right area. They may also administer a mild sedative. The procedure lasts only minutes, depending upon the number of injections you need. But what happens during a nerve block itself?
Nerve Block Procedure
Typically, your doctor starts with a temporary pain reliever to make sure they’re reaching the right source of your pain. Over the course of 24 hours, you monitor your pain levels to see if the block works.
If the temporary procedure is successful, your doctor goes in again with a longer-lasting nerve block. They usually target a specific group of nerves, blocking the pain signals those nerves send to the brain. By targeting these specific nerves, they can provide targeted pain relief for patients.
How Quickly Does the Nerve Block Work?
Immediately following your nerve block at Memorial Pain Clinic, you should experience relief from your pain thanks to the anesthetic. It typically takes longer for the steroid to go to work to tackle your inflammation, but you should notice an improvement within a few days.
If the nerve block is successful, you should expect to repeat the process as the effects gradually wear off. That time frame varies from patient to patient.
To learn more about nerve blocks, call Memorial Pain Clinic, or use the online scheduler to book a consultation.
How Long Does a Nerve Block Last?
A nerve block is an injection designed to provide pain relief for anywhere from 12 to 72 hours on average. It depends on the type of nerve block and the type of medication used. In some cases, a nerve catheter may be used to continuously provide numbing medication for a few days following surgery.
Contact Memorial Pain Clinic for Nerve Blocks in Tulsa, OK
If you have been unable to manage pain through medications, physical therapy, or other conservative measures, it may be time to consider nerve block injections. At Memorial Pain Clinic, our board-certified physicians and compassionate staff are dedicated to providing personalized care and effective pain relief.
Take the first step towards a pain-free life and schedule an appointment today. Let us help you find freedom from pain and regain control over your life.
