Cervical selective nerve root block, or SNRB, is an injection used to identify the source of nerve pain in the neck and sometimes to also provide longer-term pain relief.Nerve pain in the neck that radiates down into the shoulders, arms, and hands can develop when a cervical nerve root is compressed or inflamed due to a degenerated or herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or other degenerative spinal changes.As the procedure begins, the patient lies face-down and may receive a sedative.The doctor injects a local anesthetic into the skin over the area that is suspected of being the source of nerve pain. Under X-ray guidance, the doctor injects a contrast dye to aid in correct placement of the needle at or near the suspected compressed or irritated nerves.Once the needle is safely positioned, there is a second injection into the nerve root where it exits the foramen, a side opening where two vertebrae meet. This injection contains lidocaine, a type of anesthetic, and may include a steroid, su...
