What is a nerve block?
In the context of PNE, a nerve block involves injecting a liquid at a precise location near a nerve. For a small nerve like the pudendal that takes slightly different paths in different people, this requires more than just studying a person’s body and deciding where to insert the needle, at what angle, and how deep. It requires imaging of some type, such as Xray (fluoroscope) or CT. Without the accuracy these imaging systems provide, it is difficult or impossible to know if the needle tip is located correctly. If incorrectly located, the nerve can be damaged or the injected liquid will be too far away to have its intended effect. Dr. Bensignor says the needle tip must be within one millimeter of the target. There are two main types of injected liquids: a local anesthetic and slow-release steroids. The local is a short term diagnostic tool. If the pain goes away and stays gone for the short term, the location was correct and the nerve can be suspected of being a contributor or the sole
