Nerve blocks for chronic pain (including facet joint and epidural)

Category: Minor Procedures, Injections & Pain Relief · All minor procedures, injections & pain relief

What it is

Nerve blocks for chronic pain place local anaesthetic (sometimes with steroid) near a nerve or joint to reduce pain and help diagnosis — for example facet joint injections (small spinal joints in back pain), medial branch blocks (the nerves supplying those joints), epidural steroid injections (space around the spinal cord for leg pain from disc or stenosis), and peripheral nerve blocks.

Why it is done

They are used for persistent back, neck and leg pain where conservative care has not settled symptoms, to reduce pain and help rehabilitation, and to confirm which structure is the pain source (diagnostic blocks).

How to prepare

You will have imaging review (MRI) and a medication review — blood thinners are a key concern for spinal injections. Tell the team about allergies, diabetes, infection and pregnancy. Sedation may be offered; fasting applies if so. Most blocks use X-ray or ultrasound guidance.

What happens during the procedure

You lie on your stomach (for spinal blocks) or as directed. After cleaning and numbing, the needle is guided to the target with X-ray contrast or ultrasound; a test dose of local anaesthetic may be given first, then the treatment injection. It takes about 20 to 40 minutes.

Afterwards — recovery & results

You rest briefly and are observed; you may feel temporary numbness or weakness in the injected area or leg — do not drive until it resolves and arrange an escort. Benefit is judged over days to weeks. Diagnostic blocks are followed by assessment of how long relief lasted, which guides whether radiofrequency denervation is offered.

Risks & considerations

Risks include bleeding, infection, temporary weakness or numbness, allergic reaction, and for spinal procedures, headache from a dural puncture and rarely nerve injury. Epidural injections near the neck carry specific vascular risks which the team explains when relevant.

Watch: Nerve blocks for chronic pain (including facet joint and epidural) videos

Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.

▶ WatchAxillary block with a nerve stimulatorWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchFemoral nerve blockWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchFemoral nerve block videoWatch on MedicalVideos.com

Related guides on MedicalVideos.com

Condition guide: stroke

Frequently asked questions

Will a block cure my back pain?

Blocks are one tool, not a cure: they calm pain to allow rehabilitation and test whether a structure is the source. For facet pain confirmed by diagnostic blocks, radiofrequency denervation offers longer relief.

How many epidurals can I have?

Usually a limited number per year, with benefit reviewed each time — diminishing benefit argues against repeats.

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Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.