Ilioinguinal Nerve Block

The Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Procedure is an injection into the soft tissues of the lower abdomen next to the ilioinguinal nerve, which is the likely cause of your lower abdominal, groin and/or scrotal pain.

Why is an Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Procedure helpful?
It is helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of your lower abdominal, groin and/or scrotal pain, which is likely due to a disorder of your ilioinguinal nerve. Two medications are used for the injection: a shorter-acting local anesthetic numbing agent and a longer-acting anti-inflammatory steroid agent. You will likely experience temporary pain relief after the injection due to the shorter-acting local anesthetic numbing agent. Then, you will likely experience longer pain relief after the injection due to the longer-acting anti-inflammatory steroid agent.

Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Procedure Detail
You will be asked to lie on your back on the procedure table. The skin of your lower abdomen at the injection site will be cleaned with an anti-bacterial solution. You will experience an initial sting at the injection site, as the skin will be numbed with a local anesthetic numbing agent. Then a needle was inserted medial to the anterior superior iliac crest until it touches the bone. The doctor will then inject the medications (local anesthetic and steroid) next to your ilioinguinal nerve. The injection procedure itself is brief, usually lasting less than 10 minutes.

Post Procedure
You will be observed for at least 15 minutes in the recovery room for your response to the injection. You may become a little sore at the soft tissues of the procedure site, which is normal and to be expected. The soreness at the procedure site should go away in a couple of days. It usually takes 48 to 72 hours to experience pain relief from the longer-acting anti-inflammatory steroid agent.

When can I go to work after an Ilioinguinal Nerve Block Procedure?
You can return to work the same day.