Invasive pain therapy and blocks in Barranquilla, Colombia

What is a pain block?

It is an injection of local anesthetic, sometimes with a corticosteroid, near the nerve or joint causing pain. It is done with needles guided by fluoroscopy or ultrasound to reach the exact spot.

What types of blocks are there?

The most common are epidural and nerve root blocks (for pain radiating to the arms or legs from herniated discs or stenosis), facet and sacroiliac joint blocks (for low back or neck joint pain), and peripheral nerve blocks for the shoulder, knee, hip or head.

What are they for?

They serve two purposes. Diagnostic: if pain disappears when a nerve is blocked, the source is confirmed. Therapeutic: they reduce inflammation and pain for weeks or months, allowing progress in physical therapy and, in some cases, avoiding or delaying surgery.

How should you prepare?

Tell the doctor if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, have diabetes (steroids raise blood sugar temporarily), allergies or an active infection. Bring a companion, as numbness or dizziness may last a few hours.

Find nerve block specialists

On MedicosDoc you can find pain specialists, interventional anesthesiologists and physiatrists who perform nerve blocks. Compare profiles and book your consultation.