
Diagnostic and therapeutic anesthetic infiltration: what you need to know
Anesthetic infiltration involves injecting an anesthetic, with or without a corticosteroid, around a nerve or group of nerves to relieve pain and/or determine its origin. This procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance by a specialized physician.
When is it used?
Infiltration is indicated in the following cases:
- Persistent neuropathic pain after trauma or surgery.
- Chronic pelvic-perineal pain, by assessing somatic nerves (pudendal, ilioinguinal, etc.) or vegetative nerves (impar ganglion, hypogastric plexus).
- Diagnosis and treatment of complex pain to confirm a neuropathic origin or explore other causes.
Mechanism Infiltration procedure
- Preparation: No need to fast.
- Technique: The physician injects a product under ultrasound control. The sensation may vary, with minimal pain when the needle is passed.
- Duration: The procedure is rapid and designed to maximize patient comfort.
What can I expect after the injection?
- Temporary recurrence of pain: Possible within 48 hours of the procedure.
- Recommended rest period: 48 hours to optimize effects.
- Results: Effects generally begin to be felt between 3 days and a week after injection.



Advantages and limitations
- Therapeutic and diagnostic goal: Can confirm the origin of pain and offer lasting relief.
- Safety: Risks are rare (infection, hematoma, vagal discomfort), and side effects associated with the corticosteroid or anesthetic are transient.
When is the test positive?
If pain is reduced by 50% within three hours of a test infiltration, this confirms the efficacy and neuropathic origin of the pain.
When infiltration offers pain relief for several weeks, radiotherapy may be a good alternative to prolong its effect for several months.
This safe and precise medical procedure offers a solution for better understanding and treating your pain.
To find out more, or to discuss your situation, talk to your doctor.
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Dr Nabila
- Médecin anesthésiste - Spécialiste de la douleur
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