Cervical Nerve Root Injection
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
A cervical nerve root injection is a procedure to inject medicine at the nerve roots of your cervical (neck) spine.
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HOW TO PREPARE:
The week before your procedure:
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare. Arrange to have someone drive you home after your procedure.
- Tell your provider about all the medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine before the procedure, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of the procedure. He or she will also talk to you about starting your usual pain medicine again after the procedure.
- Tell your provider about all your allergies. Tell him or her if you had an allergic reaction to anesthesia, antibiotics, or contrast liquid.
- You may need to have blood and urine tests. Tests such as x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI may also be done.
The night before your procedure:
You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight.
The day of your procedure:
- Take only the medicines your healthcare provider told you to take.
- You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
- Healthcare providers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. You may be given liquids or medicine through the IV.
- An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You may need medicine to keep you asleep or numb an area of your body during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
What will happen:
- You will lie on your stomach, with your head and body slightly turned to the side. Your healthcare provider will insert a thin needle near your cervical spine to the nerve root. He or she will use an x-ray with contrast liquid or a CT scan to help guide the needle.
- Your provider will place the needle tip near the nerve root and inject the medicine. The medicine may include steroids and anesthesia. Your healthcare provider may inject medicine into more than one area.
- Bandages will be placed over the areas where the needles were inserted.
After your procedure:
You will be taken to a recovery room to rest. Healthcare providers will watch you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When healthcare providers see that you are okay, you may be able to go home.
- Bandages will cover the procedure area. The bandages keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection. A healthcare provider may remove the bandages soon after your procedure to check the injection sites.
- Medicines may be given to treat pain, swelling, or fever, or to prevent an infection.
CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:
- You have a fever.
- You have a skin infection or an infected wound on or near the back of your neck.
- You have questions or concerns about your procedure.
Risks
You may have bleeding at the site of the injection. You may also develop an infection. Nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles, and bones near you spine may be damaged. The medicine may spread to other areas near the cervical nerve root and cause numbness. Even after you have this procedure, you may still have shoulder or back pain.
Care Agreement
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Further information
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