J Korean Pain Soc.  2004 Dec;17(Suppl):S63-S67. 10.3344/kjp.2004.17.S.S63.

Nerve Blocks for Chronic Pain

• Kim YC

• KMID: 2199655
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2004.17.S.S63

Abstract

Nerve block has been performing to diagnose or treat chronic pain. In addition, it is performed to estimate the result of permanent block with various techniques, such as alcohol, phenol or radiofrequency thermocoagulation, and as an adjuvant therapy to help rehabilitation. As for its diagnostic power, much controversy still exists due to its low sensitivity and specificity over those of other diagnostic tools, such as radiological examinations and EMG, but it is still a very important diagnostic tool for pain patient. However, no controversy exists as to its therapeutic power. Although it has several limitations, such as a short duration of effect, it is the most commonly used therapeutic tool for chronic pain. The success of blockade is largely dependent on the expertise of the physician, anatomical changes and difficulty of the blockade.

Keyword

nerve block; pain

MeSH Terms

Chronic Pain*
Electrocoagulation
Humans
Nerve Block*
Phenol
Rehabilitation
Sensitivity and Specificity
Phenol