Award winning Specialist
Spinal nerve blocks are effective diagnostic and treatment injections for back pain stemming from nerve pain and damage. Using a nerve root block to numb your nerve endings can isolate and treat the source of pain. Here, learn everything you need to know about getting a spinal nerve block injection to diagnose and treat nerve pain in your back
Consult with leading orthopaedic specialists
Same day imaging scans, diagnosis & treatment
Instant pain relief for back conditions, and other nerve pain
Harley Street Specialist Hospital is an award-winning private hospital specialising in back pain treatments like nerve root blocks. Spinal nerve block injections can eliminate pain with immediate effect.
Our spinal interventions and patient-centred care programmes are designed to give you the fastest, most effective pain relief and get you back to your day-to-day activities. With the UK’s largest pool of pain management consultants based at our pain management clinic, you’ll have access to an array of treatments and advisors who can help you manage your discomfort on an ongoing basis.
We also operate without waiting lists, providing you with rapid care when you need it. Book an appointment with our spinal nerve specialists for same-day consultation and spinal nerve block treatment.
A spinal nerve block injection is a type of back and spine treatment that contains local anaesthetic and corticosteroid medication. These drugs combine to block sensation and reduce inflammation around specific nerves as they exit the spine.
Numbing the spinal nerves stops them from sending pain signals to the brain without impacting mobility and movement. It also helps your medical team determine exactly which nerves are causing you pain so further treatments can be offered if needed.
A spinal nerve block is a day-case procedure, so you won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight. Here’s how it works:
1. Assessment and eligibility — Your team will perform initial diagnostic and imaging tests to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
2. Sedation — You’ll be given a sedative to help you relax during the procedure.
3. X-ray guidance — The team will perform an X-ray to determine where the nerve root block should be given.
4. Local anaesthetic — You might be given a local anaesthetic before injecting the nerve root block medication..
5. Nerve root block injection — The injection is given into your spine. This may feel uncomfortable initially, but you’ll soon feel relief if the right nerve is identified.
6. Recovery — The medical team will monitor you briefly after the procedure to ensure you are feeling well and check the impact of the spinal nerve root block. You can eat and drink during this time.
You won’t be able to drive home after your spinal injection due to the sedative, so it’s best to ask someone to take you home afterwards. You might want to rest for a while if your legs feel weak, but you can walk and move freely.
Learn more about getting a spinal nerve block injection in these frequently asked questions.
Spinal nerve blocks are often used to treat the following back and spine conditions:
A nerve block can make your arms and legs feel weak, which may limit your ability to walk temporarily. This will only last for a short time, and your team will support you to get back on your feet as quickly as possible after your injection.
You shouldn’t drive for 24 hours after a nerve block injection. If you feel well after this time, you can start to drive again.
When you have a spinal nerve root block injection, you might experience:
Other risks include temporary or permanent nerve damage, longer-lasting limb numbness or weakness, and bleeding into the epidural space of the spine. These risks are much less common than the side effects above, but consider them when weighing up your back pain treatment options.
The anaesthetic will last for just a few hours. The anti-inflammatory effects of the steroid, however, should last much longer, often providing several weeks to several months of pain relief.
At Harley Street Specialist Hospital, our spinal nerve block injection costs range from £2,758 to £3,358 for self-paying customers.
Patients with private medical insurance are also welcome.
Spread the cost of your medical treatment over several months with our finance options and medical payment plans. This is ideal for patients seeking the speed and comfort of private healthcare without significant upfront payments.
Use our self-payment options to get prompt care with the consultant of your choice. Patients looking for fast, efficient treatment without private health insurance are welcome to pay for treatment before their procedure.
We welcome patients with private medical insurance from approved insurers, including Bupa, AXA, Aviva, and many more. Find out how to claim for your treatment with private health insurance to get optimum care and comfort.
Learn more about spinal nerve block injections below.
Nerve block injections may be a little uncomfortable, but most patients agree that the medium-term pain relief they feel is worth it.
You’ll feel a small sting as the local anaesthetic is injected and possibly some slight discomfort as the nerve is treated. When the anaesthetic wears off you might feel more pain, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
Nerve block injections are reported to have success rates of up to 80% for patients with a slipped disc in their lower back. This may vary depending on your condition and the extent of your pain.
You’ll probably need to take a couple of days off work for the procedure and immediate recovery, but many patients can start working again after 48 hours. This depends on your level of discomfort and the nature of your job.
The spinal nerve block procedure lasts around 15 to 20 minutes. But you can expect to be at the hospital for initial assessment and post-procedure monitoring for a few hours.
A spinal nerve block consists of a local anaesthetic (which works immediately) and a steroid (which works within two to five days). You might feel discomfort between the spinal nerve block wearing off and the steroid medication kicking in.
Getting a spinal nerve block at our private central London hospital couldn’t be easier. Just book an appointment with our pain management specialists at a time that works for you — we don’t have waiting lists, so you’ll be seen very quickly.
You’ll be taken through our medical assessment process. If a spinal nerve root block is right for you, we may be able to treat you on the same day, so you don’t need to take extra time out for multiple appointments.
We’ll then follow up with you after the procedure to check on your back pain treatment progress and whether any further interventions are necessary.
