US Medical Term · procedures
Nerve Block
Bloqueo nervioso
Also: Bloqueo de nervio (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Nerve Block |
| Spanish (Español) | Bloqueo nervioso |
| Chinese (中文) | 神經阻滯 |
| Korean (한국어) | 신경 차단술 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Gây tê thần kinh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Nerve block |
| Portuguese (Português) | Bloqueio nervoso |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การบล็อกเส้นประสาท |
| Japanese (日本語) | 神経ブロック |
What it means
A nerve block is a procedure in which anesthetic medication is injected near specific nerves to numb a region of the body, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. Nerve blocks can be used for pain relief during surgery, as part of anesthesia, or for chronic pain management. Types include epidural blocks, spinal blocks, and peripheral nerve blocks such as those used before arm or leg surgery. The injection is guided by ultrasound, X-ray, or landmark technique. The procedure takes five to 30 minutes depending on the type. Effects can last from a few hours to several months depending on the medication used. Nerve blocks can reduce the need for opioid pain medications after surgery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My anesthesiologist is offering a nerve block for my shoulder surgery so I will need less pain medication afterward.
Mi anestesiólogo me ofrece un bloqueo nervioso para la cirugía de hombro para que necesite menos analgésicos después.
How long will the nerve block last and what happens when it wears off?
¿Cuánto durará el bloqueo nervioso y qué pasa cuando el efecto desaparece?
Are there any risks or side effects from a nerve block?
¿Hay riesgos o efectos secundarios del bloqueo nervioso?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026