
Mr Sam Gidwani
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialist expertise: Hand and Wrist Surgery, Orthopaedics, Sports Injuries.
If you have an inflamed nerve root in your back, a Dorsal Root Ganglion Block may help.
You have an inflamed nerve root in your back usually caused by irritation from a bulging ‘intervertebral’ disc, or perhaps a facet joint. This causes pain running down from your back and into your arm or leg depending on whether the disc is in your neck or low back. Sometimes it is possible that a single nerve may be damaged in some way without any disc inflammation.
Your consultant will provide you with all the relevant information before your procedure along with any preparation you may need to do in the days leading up to your surgery. It is important to tell your consultant about any medicines you may be taking, including any over the counter pain medicines such as paracetamol or aspirin.
You may need radiological (imaging) tests before your procedure, including ultrasound, x-ray or an MRI scan.
Do not eat (this includes chewing gum) or drink for 6 hours before you are due to have surgery otherwise your surgery may be delayed or rescheduled.
Please ensure you have a competent adult available to take you home after you leave OneWelbeck Orthopaedics.
A DRGB/TFE is a very commonly performed procedure but as with all medical procedures there are some risks. Complications that are minor and occur quite frequently include:
An anaesthetist will discuss with you the type of sedation used and the process they will follow. This procedure will not require a full general anaesthetic (GA). However, a local anaesthetic (LA) technique enhanced with intravenous pain relief and sedation will be employed where appropriate. You will be given the opportunity to ask any questions and raise any concerns you may have with the anaesthetist.
Once in the theatre suite you will be connected to some monitoring equipment to measure your heart rate, blood pressure and the oxygen content of your blood. A needle or ‘drip’ will be placed in a vein, usually in the back of the hand. Then you will be asked to lie down on the operating table. Being in a comfortable position is very important when this procedure is done.
When this is achieved your skin will be cleaned with antiseptic solution, some local anaesthetic will be introduced into the skin. When the skin has gone numb a needle will be introduced through the skin very slowly and carefully. Once the needle is in the correct place, a single dose of medication will be injected and then the needle will be removed.
When the injections are completed, you will then be positioned in a way to make you as comfortable as possible.
After your procedure, you will be carefully supervised by your dedicated nurse at OneWelbeck Orthopaedics. Once you have seen your Consultant you will be able to go home the same day. It is important to rest to allow the best chance of healing.
Make sure you follow any advice given to you by your consultant including any advice on pain relief and any exercises you may be given.
We boast a truly integrated team of orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, podiatric surgeons, rheumatology specialists, paid medicine consultants and hand therapy specialists. All of these services work together in one place, enabling us to give patients the best care possible.