Pain Management and Nerve Blocks

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Introduction

Nerve blocks are used for pain treatment and management. There are several different types of nerve blocks that serve different purposes.

Often a group of nerves, called a plexus or ganglion, that causes pain to a specific organ or body region can be blocked with the injection of medication into a specific area of the body. The injection of this nerve-numbing substance is called a nerve block.

How Are Nerve Blocks Used?

Different kinds of nerve blocks are used for different purposes.

• Therapeutic nerve blocks are used to treat painful conditions. Such nerve blocks contain local anesthetic that can be used to control acute pain.
• Diagnostic nerve blocks are used to determine sources of pain. These blocks typically contain an anesthetic with a known duration of relief.
• Prognostic nerve blocks predict the outcomes of given treatments. For example, a nerve block may be performed to determine if more permanent treatments (such as surgery) would be successful in treating pain.
• Preemptive nerve blocks are meant to prevent subsequent pain from a procedure that can cause problems including phantom limb pain.
• Nerve blocks can be used, in some cases, to avoid surgery.

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