A trigeminal ganglion nerve block helps manage facial pain from conditions like trigeminal neuralgia or postherpetic neuralgia, which can cause severe, shock-like pain. The trigeminal nerve controls face sensations, and by injecting anesthetics or steroids, we aim to block pain signals.

This procedure often relieves sharp, electric-type face pain triggered by actions like brushing teeth or light breezes. It’s useful for ongoing facial pain after shingles or unexplained discomfort.

Alternatives include medications such as anticonvulsants and antidepressants, which help nerve pain but may cause side effects like drowsiness. Other treatments involve modifying nerve functions or surgeries to relieve nerve pressure, offering varying relief.

These options include microvascular decompression, percutaneous rhizotomy, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and trigeminal nerve sectioning for severe cases. Less invasive options are medications, nerve blocks, or peripheral nerve stimulation.

Before the procedure, you might need to avoid eating for up to 8 hours, especially if sedation is used. Adjustments to medications affecting bleeding are needed, and blood thinners might be stopped. Rare risks include injection site infection, nerve damage, or temporary facial numbness.

Recovery is usually quick since the procedure is outpatient. Pain relief can be immediate with the anesthetic, but full effects, especially from steroids, develop over several days. Further injections might be needed for ongoing relief. Regular follow-up is important to ensure effective treatment and assess the need for additional or alternative options.