Root Block Tulsa, OK
Our Services
Achieve Pain Relief from a Particular Nerve Root with Root Blocks
Explore advanced pain relief options with selective nerve root blocks at Memorial Pain Clinic in Tulsa, OK. Our specialized clinic offers cutting-edge treatments aimed at alleviating chronic pain associated with spinal nerve compression. Selective nerve root blocks are minimally invasive procedures designed to target and block pain signals at their source, providing effective relief for conditions such as radiculopathy and herniated discs.
Discover how our experienced team utilizes state-of-the-art techniques to diagnose and treat your pain, restoring your quality of life with personalized care and expertise. To schedule an appointment with us, please call our office at 918-200-9944 today.
What Is a Selective Nerve Root Block?
A selective nerve root block (SNRB) is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat nerve-related pain, particularly in the neck or lower back. It involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic and possibly a steroid medication near the spinal nerve root where it exits the spinal column. This targeted injection aims to temporarily block the pain signals traveling along the nerve, helping doctors identify the specific nerve causing pain and providing pain relief.
A nerve block like this is typically used when other conservative treatments, like anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy have not alleviated symptoms. They help confirm whether a particular inflamed nerve root is the source of the pain, which guides further treatment decisions.
What Conditions Can a Root Block Help?
The core of your nervous system runs through your spine and branches off along the way, sending peripheral nerves throughout your body. When there’s a problem close to home — or the root — you may feel the pain, numbness, and tingling radiate through your peripheral nerves, affecting your limbs.
Some specific conditions that a root block can help include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and other problems in the spinal column.
The most common problems stem from nerve compression or irritated nerves in your lumbar (lower back) and cervical spine, or neck. Often, the discs that cushion your vertebrae herniate, or bulge, affecting the nerve roots in the area.
This, in turn, sends pain sensations along the nerve pathways down through your shoulders and arms, in the case of the cervical spine, and your buttocks and legs, in the case of your lumbar spine.
If you’re feeling numbness or tingling, this means that the compression is preventing or weakening the signals that travel along your peripheral nerves.
How Does the Root Block Work?
A root block often serves two purposes:
Diagnostic: Your doctor at Memorial Pain Clinic typically uses a root block to diagnose the source of your pain. Through diagnostic imaging, your doctor pinpoints the general area of the problem, but sometimes the root responsible for your pain and numbness is hidden. By performing a root block that lasts 24 hours, your doctor is able to isolate the correct nerve for treatment.
Treatment: Once your doctor identifies the nerve responsible for your discomfort, they go back in and block that nerve root from sending out pain signals.
How Is a Root Block Done?
Whether diagnostic or treatment, your doctor uses X-ray imaging to guide a needle into the correct nerve root. Once they’re satisfied they have the right target, your doctor injects a combination of a local anesthetic for the pain and a steroid to reduce the inflammation in the area.
Your doctor performs a root block on an outpatient basis, which means you’re free to go home afterward.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Selective Nerve Root Blocks?
Selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) are generally safe procedures, but like any medical intervention, they carry potential risks and side effects. Common risks include infection at the injection site, bleeding, or allergic reactions to the medications used.
In some cases, there can be temporary numbness or weakness in the limbs near the injection site, which typically resolves within a few hours. Rarely, more serious complications such as nerve injury or spinal cord injury can occur.
Side effects may include temporary pain or discomfort at the injection site, as well as a temporary increase in pain before the steroid medication takes effect.
How Long Does the Root Block Last?
The answer to this varies from one person to the next. Some patients undergo a root block once a year, while others come in three times a year. The effects of the anesthetic wear off quickly, but the steroid provides relief for longer periods.
To find out whether a root block is right for you, call Memorial Pain Clinic, or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
Cervical Root Block Success Rate
The success rates for cervical nerve blocks vary slightly, but most patients experience significant pain relief after their first root block. Depending on the specific nerve root treated and the intention behind the injection, anywhere from 50-75% of patients have notable pain relief. This relief generally occurs within 3-7 days of the injection. The effects can last for weeks or months.
Lumbar Root Block Success Rate
The success rate of lumbar root blocks varies depending on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient. Generally, success rates range from 50% to 90% in providing significant pain relief and improving function in patients with radicular pain.
Depending on what is causing pain, the root block may provide long-term or temporary pain relief. Some root blocks are used as treatments in themselves, while others are used for diagnostic purposes.
Contact Memorial Pain Clinic for Selective Nerve Root Blocks in Tulsa, OK
Experience renewed comfort and mobility with selective nerve root blocks at Memorial Pain Clinic in Tulsa, OK. Our commitment to patient-centered care ensures that you receive personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking relief from persistent back pain or sciatica, our skilled specialists are here to guide you through every step of your journey to wellness.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward living pain-free. Trust Memorial Pain Clinic to help you regain control over your life with advanced pain management solutions.
