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Denver, CO 80231
(303) 750.8100 Office
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Definitions
+ Selective Nerve Root Blocks +
Spinal nerve root entrapment can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition. Although the long term outcome in most cases is invariably good without the need for surgery, in the short term delivery of anti-inflammatory medicine direct to the source of irritation around the spinal nerve is beneficial and provides excellent pain relief
If the standard route approach, ie, epidural steroid injection does not provide adequate relief or is inappropriate then a selective nerve root block is performed under X-ray control
This involves guiding a fine needle under X-ray control to the affected nerve where it exits from the spinal column. A small amount of radio-contrast material is then injected to display the nerve root and to assess its flow pattern before injecting a small volume of corticosteroid with local anesthetic
Prior to the procedure a pain physician will perform a history, physical examination and evaluate the patient’s pain problem. The procedure takes approximately thirty (30) minutes and is occasionally associated with mild to moderate discomfort. The staff at Metro Denver Pain Management are very interested in the comfort of each patient during the procedure and you may elect to have sedation. All patients are monitored appropriately throughout the procedure to ensure your safety