Preparation
Dr. Reznikov reviews your imaging and marks the treatment site, then cleans and drapes the area under sterile conditions.
Nerve Block in Reisterstown, MD
Targeted Pain Relief
Duration:15-30 minutes
Recovery:Same day
Results:Hours to weeks
Anesthesia:Local anesthetic
The Problem
Chronic Nerve Pain Limits Your Daily Life
There Is a Better Approach
Nerve pain can be one of the most debilitating conditions you experience. Whether it originates from a compressed nerve in your shoulder, an arthritic knee, or the lingering effects of shingles, the burning, shooting, and tingling sensations disrupt sleep, work, and everyday activities. Over-the-counter medications may barely take the edge off, and systemic painkillers come with unwanted side effects and dependency risks.
A nerve block delivers a precise combination of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly to the nerve responsible for your pain. By interrupting the pain signal at its source, a nerve block can provide rapid relief lasting days to weeks — and in many cases, repeated blocks offer progressively longer periods of comfort. This targeted approach also helps Dr. Reznikov confirm the exact nerve pathway involved, guiding your long-term treatment plan.
Understanding Your Treatment
What Is a Nerve Block?
Targeted Peripheral Nerve Intervention
A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic — often combined with a corticosteroid — delivered directly around a specific peripheral nerve or nerve bundle. The anesthetic interrupts nociceptive signaling along the targeted nerve pathway, providing rapid pain relief while the corticosteroid reduces inflammation surrounding the nerve. Nerve blocks are FDA-recognized diagnostic and therapeutic tools used across pain medicine specialties.
At Pain Treatment Center of Maryland, Dr. Reznikov performs several types of peripheral nerve blocks, including suprascapular nerve blocks for shoulder pain, genicular nerve blocks for knee pain, and peripheral blocks for neuropathic conditions. Each injection is performed under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to ensure the medication reaches the precise target. Unlike a medial branch block, which targets the small nerves supplying facet joints in the spine, a peripheral nerve block addresses larger sensory nerves in the extremities and trunk.
Treatment Timeline
Treatment Time
15-30 minutes
Initial Relief
Within minutes (anesthetic effect)
Therapeutic Effect
2-7 days (anti-inflammatory onset)
Duration of Relief
Days to several weeks
Why Nerve Blocks
Benefits of Nerve Blocks
Minimally Invasive Relief
- 01
Rapid Pain Relief
Anesthetic effect begins within minutes of injection for immediate comfort
- 02
Diagnostic Value
Confirms the exact nerve pathway causing your pain, guiding future treatment decisions
- 03
Minimal Downtime
In-office procedure with same-day return to most normal activities
- 04
Reduced Medication Need
Targeted relief may decrease dependence on systemic pain medications
- 05
Image-Guided Precision
Fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance ensures accurate needle placement every time
Nerve Block vs Other Treatments
Compare Your Options
| Treatment | Mechanism | Time | Results | Duration | Downtime | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nerve Block | Local anesthetic + steroid around peripheral nerve | 15-30 min | Minutes | Days to weeks | None | Localized peripheral nerve pain |
| Epidural Steroid Injection | Steroid into epidural space near spinal nerves | 15-30 min | 2-7 days | Weeks to months | None | Spinal nerve compression and radiculopathy |
| Radiofrequency Ablation | Heat lesion to disrupt nerve signaling | 30-60 min | 1-3 weeks | 6-12 months | 1-2 days | Chronic joint pain after successful blocks |
Is This Right for You?
Who Is a Good Candidate for Nerve Blocks?
Personalized Candidacy Assessment
Nerve blocks are appropriate for a wide range of patients experiencing localized pain along a specific nerve distribution. Dr. Reznikov evaluates each patient individually to determine whether a nerve block is the right approach.
Ideal Candidates for Nerve Blocks
- Adults with chronic shoulder, knee, wrist, or ankle pain unresponsive to conservative treatment
- Patients with neuropathic pain from diabetic neuropathy or nerve entrapment
- Individuals experiencing post-herpetic neuralgia following a shingles outbreak
- Patients seeking a diagnostic block to confirm the nerve source before radiofrequency ablation
- Those looking for pain relief with minimal systemic medication side effects
Who Should Wait or Avoid Nerve Blocks
- Active infection at or near the injection site
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or current anticoagulant therapy without clearance
- Known allergy to local anesthetics or contrast dye
- Pregnancy (relative contraindication — discuss with Dr. Reznikov)
If you have concerns about candidacy, schedule a consultation at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland. Dr. Reznikov will review your medical history and imaging to recommend the safest, most effective plan.
Your Procedure
What Happens During a Nerve Block
Image Guidance
Dr. Reznikov positions the ultrasound probe or fluoroscope to visualize the target nerve in real time.
Injection
Using a thin needle, Dr. Reznikov delivers the anesthetic-steroid mixture precisely around the nerve under continuous image guidance.
Assessment
Dr. Reznikov evaluates your pain response within minutes to confirm successful nerve blockade and documents relief levels.
Recovery
Dr. Reznikov provides aftercare instructions and you rest briefly before returning home the same day.
Safety Information
Side Effects and Safety
What to Know
Nerve blocks are considered safe when performed by a trained interventional pain specialist like Dr. Reznikov. However, as with any injection procedure, potential side effects exist.
Common side effects include temporary numbness or weakness in the area served by the blocked nerve, mild soreness at the injection site, and occasional bruising. These effects typically resolve within hours to a few days.
Less common side effects may include temporary increase in pain (post-injection flare), localized swelling, or a vasovagal response during the procedure. When corticosteroids are used, some patients experience mild blood sugar elevation or facial flushing lasting 1-2 days.
Rare risks include infection at the injection site, nerve injury, bleeding or hematoma, and allergic reaction to the anesthetic or steroid. Dr. Reznikov minimizes these risks through meticulous sterile technique and real-time image guidance during every procedure.
Pricing
Nerve Block Cost in Reisterstown, MD
Transparent Pricing and Insurance
The cost of a nerve block at Pain Treatment Center of Maryland varies depending on the type of block, the number of injection sites, and whether image guidance is used. During your consultation, Dr. Reznikov will provide a clear estimate based on your individualized treatment plan.
Insurance Coverage: Most major insurance plans, including Medicare, cover medically necessary nerve block injections. Our office verifies your benefits before your appointment so there are no surprises.
Financing Options: For any out-of-pocket costs, we accept CareCredit financing, allowing you to break payments into manageable monthly installments. Ask our team about flexible payment plans during scheduling.
To discuss pricing for your specific condition, call (410) 833-1011 or request a consultation online.
Your Pain Specialists
Why Choose PTCOFMD for Nerve Blocks
Reisterstown Pain Experts
Fellowship-Trained Specialist
Dual fellowship in Interventional Spine & Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine
Advanced Image Guidance
Fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided techniques for maximum precision
Comprehensive Pain Plans
Nerve blocks integrated into a multimodal treatment strategy for lasting results
Convenient Local Care
Serving Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Pikesville, and surrounding communities
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Non-Invasive Pain Relief
Common Questions
Nerve Block FAQs
Answers to Your Questions
01 What is a nerve block?
A nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic — often combined with a corticosteroid — delivered directly around a specific nerve to interrupt pain signals. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, helping Dr. Reznikov confirm the pain source and provide relief.
02 How long does a nerve block last?
The anesthetic provides immediate relief lasting several hours. When a corticosteroid is included, the anti-inflammatory effect develops over 2-7 days and may last days to several weeks. Duration varies by patient and condition, and repeated blocks often provide progressively longer relief.
03 What conditions can be treated with nerve blocks?
Nerve blocks treat a range of conditions including shoulder pain, knee osteoarthritis, neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia from shingles, carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic ankle or foot pain. Dr. Reznikov selects the specific block type based on your diagnosis.
04 Is a nerve block injection painful?
Most patients report only mild discomfort during the procedure. Dr. Reznikov applies a local anesthetic to numb the skin before inserting the needle, and ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance allows for precise, efficient placement that minimizes tissue disruption.
05 How is a nerve block different from a medial branch block?
A peripheral nerve block targets larger sensory nerves in the extremities and trunk, while a medial branch block targets the small medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints in the spine. Both are diagnostic and therapeutic, but they address different pain generators.
06 How many nerve block injections will I need?
Treatment plans vary by condition and response. Some patients achieve significant relief from a single block, while others benefit from a series of 2-3 injections spaced several weeks apart. Dr. Reznikov reassesses your progress after each procedure to optimize your plan.
07 Can a nerve block be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Nerve blocks are often part of a multimodal pain management strategy. Dr. Reznikov may combine them with physical therapy, trigger point injections, medication management, or recommend radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting results after a successful diagnostic block.
08 Will my insurance cover a nerve block?
Most major insurance plans, including Medicare, cover medically necessary nerve blocks. Our office staff verifies your specific benefits and provides cost estimates before your procedure so you can plan accordingly.
Location116 Westminster Pike, Suite 106
Reisterstown, MD, 21136
Reisterstown, MD, 21136
Emailzalina@ptcofmd.com
Phone(410) 833-1011
Ready to Start?
Schedule Your Nerve Block Consultation
References
- PubMed (PMID: 30113985) - Ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block provides effective analgesia for shoulder pain with high technical success rates.
- PubMed (PMID: 28011389) - Genicular nerve blocks demonstrate significant pain reduction and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis patients.
- PubMed (PMID: 31306098) - Peripheral nerve blocks offer diagnostic and therapeutic value in neuropathic pain management with favorable safety profiles.
- PubMed (PMID: 24121608) - Nerve blocks for post-herpetic neuralgia significantly reduce pain intensity and opioid consumption in affected patients.
- PubMed (PMID: 29356773) - Image-guided nerve block techniques improve accuracy and reduce complications compared to landmark-based approaches.