Nerve Root Block Facts and Information

Selected Nerve Root Injections (SNRI) deliver medication directly into an inflamed nerve root that exits the spinal cord. Spinal nerve roots are positioned along the length of the spinal column. They are responsible for sending and receiving sensory (feeling) and motor (motion) signals throughout the body. Nerve roots extend off the spinal cord and branch out in a complicated infrastructure of nerves. We treat patients in Ocean and Monmouth County, NJ, with locations in Toms River, Brick, and other cities.

About the Procedure

The procedure is performed with the patient lying face down or face up to expose the neck. The patient may be sedated but awake during the procedure. A region of skin and tissue of the neck is numbed with a local anesthetic delivered through a small needle.

The physician uses an x-ray device called a fluoroscope to guide a needle to the painful area of the neck. The needle is inserted into the neural foramen space, which is the region through which spinal nerves travel. Contrast dye is injected into the space to make sure the needle is properly positioned near the irritated nerve or nerves. We treat patients in Ocean and Monmouth County, NJ, with locations in Toms River, Brick, and other cities.

An anesthetic solution is injected into the foramen space, bathing the irritated nerve. The needle is removed and a small bandage is applied. Some patients may need only one injection, but two or three injections may be needed to provide significant pain relief.