Ilio-inguinal Nerve Block

Ilio-inguinal Nerve Block

The ilioinguinal nerve provides sensation to the upper portion of the skin of the inner thigh, and in men, the root of the penis and upper scrotum, and in women, portions of the pubic area. The ilioinguinal nerve block is useful for evaluating and treating groin pain. An ilioinguinal nerve block with local anesthetic and steroids is useful in the treatment of persistent pain after inguinal surgery or groin trauma when the pain is thought to be secondary to inflammation or entrapment of the ilioinguinal nerve.

For a ilioinguinal nerve block we inject an area of skin with numbing medicine. This stings for several seconds. After the numbing medicine has been given time to be effective, we direct a very small needle, using x-ray guidance into the area of the inguinal nerve. A small mixture of numbing medicine (anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory (cortisone/steroid) is injected. After your ilioinguinal nerve block you’ll be transferred to the recovery area for approximately 15 minutes.