Nerve block in leg/groin

[RollerCola]

Does anyone know anything about nerve block injections? Dh had a hernia op in March 2011 and has suffered terrible nerve pain in his leg and groin ever since.

He's been given an ever-increasingly stronger assortment of painkillers, including morphine but nothing is helping. He's been referred to the pain clinic at the hospital & his gp has suggested that they may offer a nerve block injection into the area.

He said they'd be reluctant to re-operate in case they cause even more damage. Is the nerve block likely to help? How often do they need repeating? If it doesn't work what other options does he have?

It's affecting his life greatly, he's in a lot of pain every day and no-one seems to be able to help atm. Can anyone help?

Hi Cola, after referral to the pain cliic I have had a nerve block in my leg but I'm not sure whether I can offer any useful advice. It didn't actually alleviate the pain that I have at all (sural nerve damage) but I believe that a nerve block is supposed to last about 8 weeks.

Coincidentally I also had surgery for an inguinal hernia a few years ago (and I am currently on the waiting list for a repair of the same hernia) and I'm curious/plain nosy about whether your poor DH has had any scans or xrays to investigate the root of the pain he is experiencing? Was the nerve 'trapped' during surgery?

Sorry I am not much help. Best wishes to your DH. I hope the consultant at the pain clinic can offer a conclusive and effective treatment plan.

My OH had a nerve block injection through his hip a couple of weeks ago to treat pain caused by a herniated disc. The procedure itself was straightforward, but unfortunately, it has not provided any pain relief. I do think that in some cases they can be successful, so it is probably worth a try?

It might be also worth trying out a TENS machine to see if it would help.

My DH has an open appointment with the pain clinic, so can ring at any time to rebook into the clinic.

You have my absolute sympathy, I know what it is like to live with someone who is in constant pain. It affects everything that you do. I hope that you get some resolution soon and your DH gets the problem sorted.

Thanks for both your replies. I'm finding it very hard to help him and he seems so unhappy and in constant pain.

He's been told that it's likely that the mesh used to repair his hernia has somehow damaged the nerves that run both down his leg and into his groin. He's not had any scans or X-rays, and so far (15 months after the actual op) all the dr has offered are various painkillers. But even liquid morphine isn't really helping . He's stopped taking that now as the dr wasn't happy at letting him stay on it, and this nerve block now seems the only option other than having the op re-done.

The dr has been v vague about both options, saying that the nerve injection may or may not work and is only temporary. But also that re-doing the op may cause more damage esp if the mesh has molded itself to the nerves themselves.

Your experiences of the injections don't sound too positive. Dh isn't keen on having them and I think is veering towards pushing for a re-op but I'm just so worried that it'll make things even worse for him.

Would you say the nerve blocks are worth a try anyway?

From what I experienced the nerve block is a very straightforward, painless procedure and absolutely worth pursuing. The pain specialist I saw seemed to infer that although the block is temporary sometimes having the procedure once or twice can kind of 'reprogramme' the nerve and the relief can become more permanent. At least that is what I understood him to imply . Unfortunately it had no effect for me but another patient who returned to the recovery waiting area shortly after me, was telling her daughter that she felt immediate relief .

I think, however, if I were in your DH's position I might ask my GP to be re-referred to the General Surgeon who undertook the hernia op in the hope that he/she might request a scan or something to try and get a definitive diagnosis for the pain that your DH is experiencing. Prior to referral to the pain clinic I had an EMG test (electromyography) which records the electrical activity of muscles (I think) and it was this test that revealed that I had a lesion to the sural nerve. Maybe your DH would benefit from this test or something similar? I'm not in any way medically trained though so please accept that I may be talking nonsense!

Best wishes to you both.

I agree that the nerve block is certainly worth a try. My DH suffered no ill effects and it was not a painful procedure. It didn't work for him, but for some people it is very successful. You will lose nothing by giving it a go.

It is so hard to see your DH in constant pain and there really is nothing that you can do to alleviate it. Try to keep as positive as you can and take one day at a time. We've tried it all - physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteopath, pilates, swimming. We have not found the answer yet, but we remain optimistic that we will get this sorted.

Hi I had a hernia operation in 2017 and ever since I have been in constant pain. I am returning to my local hospital on the 29.1.19 foe a second nerve block injection as the first one lasted a only 24 hrs. You just seem to be forgotten. I wrote a strong letter of complaint to the hospital as they first told me I would have to wait until January 2020 before I could see any consultant. I explained I was falling over and have been off work for six months. No life a prisoner I n my own home reeling on friends ect to get shopping for me collect medication. Then I was told you can apply for personal independence payment and a disabled bus pass. What a difference to my life and I am so much hoping my injections are a successes so I can live a near as normal life as possible and not walk around in a zombie like state on morphine.