Additional nerve blocks may be done to keep the symptoms under control. If the first occipital nerve block doesn't relieve the patient's symptoms in a week or two, it may be necessary to have a second injection. The best responses to an occipital nerve block usually come from patients whose pain is relatively recent rather than long-standing. The effects of the local anesthetic may wear off in a few hours, but the effects of the steroid begin to increase over the next several days. Their effect is more long lasting-sometimes weeks or months.Īfter an occipital nerve block, a patient can usually drive home and return to normal daily activities the following day.
The full effect of the steroids may not be felt for two or three days. If there is a lot of swelling in the nerve, the steroids will relieve the pain of that. The doctor may ask what the patient is feeling in terms of his or her symptoms. Pain relief can be felt sometimes within minutes. If the injection has been well located, the scalp on that side of the head will go numb quickly. A very fine needle is used for the nerve block.
The skin is numbed before the injection is done. The injection is done at the back of the head, just above the neck. Speak with a doctor about the possibility of a steroid injection.During an occipital nerve block, about a teaspoon of local anesthetic and steroids are injected into the scalp where the trunk of the nerve is. Along with steroid injections, patients can try other non-surgical methods like physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic care. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the injection pain. There will be some minor pain at the injection site. Is back pain severely affecting the quality of life? Consider a steroid injection. Steroid injections can provide immediate help Speak with a doctor about the effectiveness of the steroid shot. The success rate depends on issues like previous steroid shots, method of injection, and type of medication.
The success rate can be as high as 87% for some back conditions. While there are risks with any procedure, many see immense benefits from steroid injections.
A topical anesthetic can numb the injection site, reducing pain. In some circumstances, a doctor can add an anesthetic. These large needles are sometimes necessary to reach the nerve root. Larger, wider needles will cause pain and discomfort. Pain is determined by the patient's threshold for pain, the size of the needle, and the location of the shot. However, some factors determine the degree of pain. Of course, with any injection, there is pain at the injection site. For patients looking to delay surgery, steroid injections help, along with physical therapy. Called sciatic nerve pain, this can make simple tasks like walking painful. Steroid injections are also helpful if the pain starts in the lower back and moves down the leg. If the pain is ongoing for several weeks without relief, steroid shots work best. When should you try steroid injections?īack pain can hamper the quality of life. At that point, the doctor may try another shot, but no more than 3 per year. Corticosteroids last for 3 months or more. Within a few days, the medication takes effect, reducing inflammation and discomfort. In a simple outpatient procedure, a doctor or surgeon injects the steroid at the pain location. Corticosteroids can restrict inflammation, swelling, and pain. The injection contains a corticosteroid, similar to the cortisol created by the body. Steroid injections are injectable drugs provided by a doctor to relieve pain.