Selected Nerve Root Injections

There are several small holes that run along the spinal column; these small holes are known as foramina, and are frequently observed to have nerve roots emerging from them. When these foramina in the spine are damaged or partially closed as a result an injury or condition affecting the spine, the nerve emerging from the formamina can be pinched, damaged, irritated, or inflamed; this can result in shooting or radiating pain along that specific nerve root path. When this occurs, your doctor might treat the condition with a selective nerve root injection or block. Common injuries or conditions treated with SNRI include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Bone spurs
• Pinched nerve
• Narrowed nerve and spinal canals

When administering a selective nerve root block, your doctor will place a small needle directly into the foramina containing the affected nerve root and inject a local anesthetic designed to reduce pain, inflammation, irritation, and other symptoms causing discomfort.
 
The SNRI not only relieves pain and irritation associated with a damaged nerve, it also provides valuable information that will allow your physician to further diagnose the condition causing the problem.
 
The actual selective nerve root injection takes only a minute or two to complete; the patient will notice an immediate relief of symptoms that typically lasts 3 to 4 hours before gradually wearing off.

Selective nerve root injections are considered to be a very safe procedure with very few risks. However, like any injection, there is a slight risk of pain or discomfort at the injection site; this pain is common and should go away a day or two after receiving the procedure.