The median nerve provides movement and function to the forearms, wrists, and hands. It can also detect touch, pain, and temperature sensations. But a pinched or damaged median nerve, which is common in carpal tunnel syndrome, can cause chronic pain and make grasping objects and holding them with your hands difficult. Median nerve blocks can help reduce pain so that you can regain function of your hands and wrists. Find out if median nerve blocks offered by Midsouth Spine & Pain Management Associates (MSSP) is Corinth is right for you.

What is a median nerve block?

Median nerve blocks work by numbing the median nerve in the wrist. This safe and effective pain management treatment delivers anesthesia to the palmer aspect of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and/or radial portion of the palm and ring finger. The injection contains an anesthetic and a corticosteroid to help with pain and inflammation.

The Procedure

This is an out-patient procedure, meaning no overnight stays in the hospital. You place your hand in a supine position (face up) on a flat surface and the pain management physician in Corinth inserts a needle between the tendons in the carpal tunnel region of the wrist. This procedure is sometimes performed using ultrasound guidance. It takes only a few minutes to administer the injection and once it takes effect, results may last up to several months.

Preparing for Your Procedure

You should plan on having someone drive you home afterward as your hand will be numb and unable to grip the steering wheel. You may wish to have easy to prepare or ready-made meals on hand to eat the first day or two until your wrist is no longer sore from the injection. Before the placement of the median nerve block, the pain management team in Corinth will review your medical history and current health status to ensure you are a good candidate for this procedure. A thorough physical examination will also be conducted to assess your pain level and mobility. Our physician will advise whether you should stop taking any medications prior to your treatment. If you smoke, you should stop before your nerve block because smoking can slow healing and increase the risk of complications.

After Your Procedure

Take it easy and rest the remainder of the day and avoid lifting anything with your treated hand for at least the first 24 hours following treatment. The doctor will inform you as to how soon you can resume using your hands as usual again. If you do not experience significant pain relief following your procedure, a median nerve radiofrequency ablation may be recommended.

Risks and Complications

Risks and complications are rare with median nerve blocks, although patients report tenderness at the injection site and sometimes swelling, both of which can be remedied by applying ice packs to the treatment area for at least 20 minutes at a time. Some rare risks and complications include swelling, discomfort, or bleeding at the injection site, nerve damage, and numbness.

Median Nerve Block for Wrist Pain Management in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi, including Tupelo, MS and Jackson, TN

If you experience chronic pain in your wrists and suffer from reduced mobility in your hands and fingers, then a median nerve block may be right for you. To learn more about this procedure or to find out if you are a candidate, contact Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates by calling (662) 284-8565.