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Selective nerve root injection (SNRB) is a block that is performed to determine if a specific spinal nerve root is the source of pain and to reduce inflammation around the nerve thus decreasing or relieving the pain.

The patient is given intravenous medication as a relaxant and pain reliever. A local anesthetic is injected into the patient's skin in the area that is being examined.

The physician then locates, under fluoroscopy (x-ray), a specific spinal nerve root. A needle is introduced through the skin into the area adjacent to the nerve root. Medication is then injected into the area, bathing the nerve root. The medications include an anesthetic and steroid(s).