Robert Moghim MD
Anchor Healthcare
Superior Cluneal Nerve Block
1746872727
A superior cluneal nerve block is a procedure to manage pain in the lower back and upper buttocks, often due to nerve entrapment or neuritis. This nerve from the lower back affects the skin over the upper buttocks and lower back. When irritated, it causes chronic pain, worsening with activities like sitting or bending. The pain is located about 7 cm from the midline of the back, extending along the iliac crest above the sacroiliac joint, and may mimic sciatica. The procedure involves injecting anesthetic, sometimes with a steroid, near the nerve to numb the area, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance ensures precise needle placement. Occasionally, two diagnostic blocks confirm the diagnosis.
This procedure can relieve pain but has risks, including infection, bleeding, temporary numbness, or, rarely, nerve damage. Alternatives include physical therapy and medications. For severe cases, peripheral nerve stimulation or spinal cord stimulation might be considered. Other options are radiofrequency ablation to disable nerve fibers or cryoneuroablation to freeze the nerve. Before the procedure, current pain levels are assessed. Post-injection, numbness can occur, with pain relief lasting from hours to months, depending on the treatment purpose. You should track and report changes in pain levels. Repeated injections or additional therapies, like physical therapy, may be needed for sustained relief.
FAQs
Are there alternative treatments to a superior cluneal nerve block?
Yes, alternative treatments include physical therapy, medications like NSAIDs, or epidural steroid injections. For more severe cases where conservative treatments don't help, interventions like surgical decompression, peripheral nerve stimulation, or spinal cord stimulation might be considered.
How is a superior cluneal nerve block performed?
The nerve block is performed using fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance to accurately place a needle near the nerve. An anesthetic and sometimes a steroid are injected to numb the area, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. This precise guidance is crucial for the effectiveness and safety of the procedure.
What are the possible risks associated with a superior cluneal nerve block?
The risks of a superior cluneal nerve block include infection, bleeding, and temporary numbness. In rare cases, there might be nerve damage. There can also be side effects depending on the anesthetic or steroid used, such as hyperglycemia or allergic reactions.
What conditions can a superior cluneal nerve block help alleviate?
The procedure primarily helps alleviate chronic pain in the lower back and upper buttocks that may worsen with activities such as sitting or bending. It can also address pain that mimics sciatica or neuropathic pain issues in the targeted area.
What is a superior cluneal nerve block?
A superior cluneal nerve block is a medical procedure involving the injection of anesthetic and possibly a steroid near the superior cluneal nerve. This nerve comes from the lower back and affects the skin over the upper buttocks and lower back. The procedure is used to manage and relieve chronic pain due to nerve entrapment or neuritis in this region.