- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
Sometime it is unclear exactly which nerve is being pinched and causing pain into the arm or leg. One way of identifying the painful nerve is to selectively freeze one nerve at a time and to see if the pain goes away.
This “selective nerve root block” procedure is also done under fluoroscopy guidance and uses a small amount of x-ray dye and freezing that is precisely injected around the nerve as it exits the spine.
Please notify us if you are:
The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes. A small amount of freezing is injected through a very small needle. After the skin is numb, the procedure needle feels like a bit of pressure at the injection site. If you experience any pain during the procedure, your doctor will inject more local anesthetic as needed. The actual placement of the needle is not painful. However, keep in mind the nerve root is pinched and irritated. If the needle tip brushes against the nerve during placement, you may feel a “zing” down the arm or leg, similar to striking your “funny bone”.
During the injection of the local anesthetic, there may be a temporary achiness of your arm or leg until the freezing sets in, usually in about 15 seconds. These sensations are normal. During the injection, you may again feel mild to moderate discomfort in your arm or leg. Additionally, there is potential for arm or leg numbness and weakness after the procedure. Due to this potential side effect, we require someone to accompany you to your appointment and drive you the day of your procedure. This person should be able to assist you to and from your car, and into your home
Following the injection, it is common to feel temporary leg numbness and varying degrees of weakness. If you have leg numbness or weakness, please walk with assistance until the numbness and weakness clear. We expect this to clear within a few hours after the injection. Furthermore, you should not attempt to drive your car until the leg returns to normal. Some patients note cramping or discomfort in the leg following the procedure which may last up to 1 to 3 hours (rarely as long as 5 hours). You may take your usual pain reliever for this.
There may be immediate relief symptoms due to the freezing, but this will be temporary. Longer lasting or permanent relief which may result from the steroid injected can take up to 1 week. If you are diabetic, you may have an increase in blood sugar for several days following this procedure; please discuss this with the physician treating your diabetes.
