A diagnostic nerve block is a procedure in which a small amount of local anesthetic is injected near a specific nerve or group of nerves, typically using ultrasound or x-ray guidance. The purpose of the procedure is to determine if the nerve or group of nerves is the source of pain in a specific area of the body. If the injection of the anesthetic relieves the pain, it can help doctors to identify the specific nerve or nerves that are causing the pain, and then develop a treatment plan accordingly. The procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, and it typically takes only a few minutes to perform. The patient will be awake during the procedure, but there is typically minimal discomfort. Diagnostic nerve blocks must be performed as a single procedure. In other words, we cannot perform trigger point injections or any other procedure at the same time as that would reduce the reliability of the diagnostic block.
Diagnostic nerve blocks
