What risks are associated with nerve blocks?

What risks are associated with nerve blocks?

Marc Darrow (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Joint Rehabilitation Sports Medical Center, Inc. ) gives expert video advice on: How long does the pain relief last after a nerve block is given? and more...

Risks to nerve blocks around the spinal chord have to do with what happens to the spinal chord if some fluid is introduced into the dural sac which surrounds the spinal chord, or a needle is actually introduced into the spinal chord. A person can get a terrible headache from this, or they can get what are called parethesias where they lose sensation in some parts of the body or where they may feel sensation or numbness around certain parts of the body. They may actually get an infection from breaking through tissue. They can have a spinal chord injury where they lose the ability to move part of their body or move certain muscles.