A spinal block is a procedure used for people who have chronic lower back pain. A needle is typically inserted into the spine to inject substances called corticosteroids. These medications generally cut down the inflammation around nerves and blood vessels to reduce pain. The procedure is often used to treat a condition called radiculopathy, in which the pain can radiate away from a nerve and down the leg, for example. Various other conditions involving the back can also be treated with a spinal block, while injections are often performed for lower body surgery including caesarian sections in pregnant women.
When a nerve is irritated in the lower back, then pain is sometimes felt down the leg. A spinal block in the area of inflammation can lessen the pain for up to four months, so this treatment is not usually a permanent solution. Physical therapy and additional exercise are often advised by doctors to help manage the pain and the condition over time, as well as prevent an injury from getting worse.
A spinal block can also be used to treat pain caused by spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spine narrows and puts pressure on various nerves, including the spinal cord. The procedure is often performed when one has a herniated disc as well. Fluid from inside the disc can get pushed out, leading to nerve irritation and a constriction of space in the spine. One type of injected anesthetic called an epidural steroid is sometimes used when medications taken by mouth do not relieve pain.
Some diagnostic tests involve the use of a nerve block in a specific area. Doctors can inject anesthesia to determine whether a particular nerve is the cause of pain. Such tests are often repeated because some people experience relief even if that particular area is not the actual cause of the condition. If a physician sees the same results in the second test, then he or she can be more certain of the cause of pain. Injections can also help relieve pain caused by inflammation in a medial nerve branch, particularly the ones in between the spinal bones, at the facet joint.
A spinal block is often performed to relieve pain in the sacroiliac joint, at the base of the spine. This condition is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other problems. If a needle is inserted into the correct location, the pain and inflammation in the joint can be both diagnosed and treated. Medical professionals sometimes perform a spinal block for a pregnant woman before childbirth, or if she requires surgery such as a caesarian section.