Selective Nerve Root Block
A precision image-guided injection that identifies the exact nerve root causing your pain.
Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB)
Find the exact nerve. Treat the exact pain. SNRB is the diagnostic step that makes targeted treatment possible.
Day procedure. No general anaesthesia. If this injection relieves your pain, it confirms the nerve causing it — and unlocks the right treatment path.
What Is It?
Delivers local anaesthetic — and sometimes steroid — precisely to a specific nerve root under fluoroscopic guidance. Primarily diagnostic: significant pain relief after the injection confirms that nerve as the source. The steroid component provides temporary therapeutic relief as a secondary benefit.
Before Surgery
No special preparation required. Inform the team of blood thinners — these may need to be paused. Bring someone to drive home. Light meal beforehand is acceptable.
During Surgery
You lie face down. Skin numbed with local anaesthetic. Under continuous X-ray guidance, a fine needle is placed at the target nerve root. Contrast confirms position, then anaesthetic with or without steroid is injected. 15–30 minutes.
After Surgery
Observation for 30–60 minutes. Temporary numbness or heaviness in the affected limb is expected and resolves within hours. Keep a pain diary for 24 hours following — this information is clinically important.
Recovery
Normal activities the following day. The diagnostic information — whether the injection relieved your usual symptoms — guides the next treatment decision. Results reviewed at follow-up.
Dr. Viswanath's Approach
Used selectively — for cases where the diagnostic picture genuinely needs clarification before a treatment decision is made. Never a routine first step. The result directly informs whether and how surgery is planned.
Ready to find the source
of your pain?
A consultation will confirm whether SNRB is the right diagnostic step for your situation.