Nerve Blocks & Ablations

Did you know that 10% to 40% of people who undergo spinal surgery still have residual symptoms like chronic pain and numbness in their back or legs? This phenomenon, known as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), can be frustrating for people who undergo surgery, only to feel the same or sometimes worse than they did before.

At American Pain Consortium, we use minimally invasive treatments for pain, including nerve block injections and ablations. These outpatient procedures have a much shorter recovery time than spinal surgery and have proven to be more effective at alleviating chronic back pain.

A nerve block injection may contain a combination of pain-relieving medications like steroids, anesthetics, and analgesics that are injected into a nerve or nerve root that’s causing pain. For optimal results, people may need more than one injection (either during a single appointment or at regularly scheduled appointments), depending on their pain levels.

Our team has decades of experience providing spinal nerve block and ablation services. These innovative procedures take about an hour or less, and patients are usually able to return to normal, light activity in a week or two.

Commonly Asked Questions

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and How Can It Affect Me?

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) involves ongoing pain and discomfort after spinal surgery, affecting a significant number of patients. While spinal procedures are often intended to alleviate pain, research shows that 10% to 40% of individuals experience persistent symptoms like chronic pain and numbness in their back or legs. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you've sought surgery as a solution. If you are in the Washington area and have undergone spinal surgery without the relief you hoped for, our team at American Pain Consortium is here to help you find better options for pain management.

What Is the Recovery Time After Nerve Block Injections?

One of the key benefits of nerve block injections is their minimal recovery time. Typically, the procedure takes about an hour or less, and many patients can resume light activities within one to two weeks. Unlike traditional spinal surgery, which often requires an extended recovery period, patients can quickly return to their daily lives. At American Pain Consortium, we emphasize fast and effective pain relief, ensuring that residents in Atlanta can find the care they need without long downtimes.

What Is the Recovery Time After Nerve Block Injections?

One of the key benefits of nerve block injections is their minimal recovery time. Typically, the procedure takes about an hour or less, and many patients can resume light activities within one to two weeks. Unlike traditional spinal surgery, which often requires an extended recovery period, patients can quickly return to their daily lives. At American Pain Consortium, we emphasize fast and effective pain relief, ensuring that residents in Atlanta can find the care they need without long downtimes.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Care for Washington, DC and Atlanta Patients

Living with ongoing pain after spine surgery can feel overwhelming—especially in fast-paced regions like Washington, DC and Atlanta. Long commutes, desk-heavy workdays, and full family schedules often leave little room for extended recovery. If you’re dealing with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), you may still have persistent back or leg pain, numbness, tingling, or the frustration of feeling that surgery didn’t deliver the relief you expected. For some patients, minimally invasive options such as targeted nerve block injections or radiofrequency ablation may help reduce inflammation and calm irritated nerves without the prolonged downtime commonly associated with repeat spine surgery.

In Washington, DC, many residents spend hours seated in offices or commuting on congested roadways, both of which can aggravate lower back and nerve-related pain. In Atlanta, heavy traffic and long drive times create similar strain. In both cities, patients often prioritize treatments that allow them to return to work, manage household responsibilities, and stay active with minimal interruption. Because nerve blocks and ablations are typically outpatient procedures with shorter recovery windows, they may fit more easily into demanding schedules.

We frequently hear similar concerns from patients in both regions: burning or shooting pain down the leg that makes walking or sleeping difficult; inability to sit comfortably for extended periods; worry about undergoing another major surgery; and uncertainty about what to do next after imaging studies or prior procedures failed to provide lasting relief.

If you’re in the Washington, DC or Atlanta area and searching for next steps after spine surgery, our team at American Pain Consortium can review your history and help determine whether minimally invasive, nerve-focused care aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

To learn more about how we can assist you in reducing your pain, call or reach out to us online today.