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transforaminal selective nerve root block

Nerve root injections are common spinal procedures aimed at alleviating nerve pain and inflammation. This treatment involves the injection of a blend of local anesthetic and steroid around a swollen or compressed spinal nerve, providing relief from discomfort and inflammation often associated with conditions like disc herniation or stenosis.

What is transforaminal selective nerve root block?

The primary cause of nerve pain and inflammation stems from compression resulting from conditions such as disc degneration in the spine. Nerve root injections, also known as nerve blocks, are frequently administered in the lumbar spine to address radiating leg pain, commonly referred to as sciatica. Moreover, they can be applied in the cervical spine to manage symptoms of arm pain or cervical radiculopathy, demonstrating their versatility in pain management.
In cases where sciatica or nerve pain persists despite conventional pain medications, a nerve root block, or steroid injection, emerges as a viable treatment option. Renowned for its safety and effectiveness, this procedure is often recommended to help mitigate painful symptoms. Typically conducted under fluroscopy guidance by a spine surgeon, nerve root injections offer patients a potential pathway to improved comfort and mobility.

Why tranforaminal selective nerve root blocks are advised?

In the treatment progression for conditions like sciatica and nerve root compression, such as radiculopathy, where medications have proven ineffective in managing pain, a nerve root injection emerges as a safe and straightforward therapeutic option to alleviate symptoms.
By administering a combination of local anesthetic and steroid, the injection targets inflammation in the affected nerve, offering relief from pain. For many patients dealing with disc prolapse, undergoing a nerve root injection before considering surgery is advisable. This intervention not only has the potential to mitigate pain but also could potentially delay or even circumvent the need for surgical intervention. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a nerve root injection serves as a diagnostic tool, indicating whether the compressed nerve is the primary source of symptoms. This information is valuable in predicting the likelihood of a positive surgical outcome, should surgery become necessary.

How Transforaminal selective nerve root blocks work?

  • In therapeutic applications, steroids are often combined with anesthetics or administered independently in selective nerve root block injections. The efficacy of steroids in nerve blocks stems from a combination of mechanisms:

  1. Inhibition of specific enzymes like phospholipase A, which contribute to neural irritation and pain.

  2. Blocking of particular nerve fibers, known as C fibers, resulting in diminished pain signals transmitted to the brain.

  3. Reduction of the permeability of nerve fibers to blood, thereby decreasing the transmission of pain.
    These mechanisms collectively work to alleviate the pain signals transmitted by the targeted nerve. By understanding these processes, individuals can gain insight into how nerve block injections effectively manage pain associated with various conditions.

What happens during transforaminal selective nerve root block?

  • Nerve root injections are commonly administered by Dr. Vivek Badhe under the guidance of fluoroscopy (live x-rays), a standard procedure offered at most facilities.
    During the process, patients are positioned face down on the operation theatre table, ensuring comfort and stability. To maintain sterility and minimize infection risks, a small amount of local anesthetic is first injected into the skin, facilitating painless passage of the needle.
    Under fluoroscopy guidance, a needle is carefully maneuvered around the compressed nerve root. Once the needle's placement is confirmed via fluoroscopy imaging, a precise mixture of local anesthetic and steroid is injected around the nerve. While the local anesthetic numbs the nerve, the steroid works to reduce inflammation. Following the injection, the needle is removed, allowing patients to resume normal movement.
    At your consultation with Dr. Vivek Badhe the appropriateness of a nerve root injection will be assessed based on your condition. Mukund Spine Clinic has tie ups with several hospitals where this procedures can be carried out. Everytime, hospitals are chosen as per convinience of our patients.

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