Nerve Block Injections for Pain, Cardiff & South Wales
Switch off pain at the nerve causing it. Local anaesthetic and steroid placed precisely around the nerve under live ultrasound guidance by a Consultant Radiologist.
ultrasound-guided nerve block
What's included from £350
- ✓Consultation with a Consultant Radiologist
- ✓Live ultrasound guidance to the nerve
- ✓Local anaesthetic and steroid
- ✓Written report and aftercare advice
- ✓Advice on tracking your pain afterwards
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
may extend
booked within
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Why choose Acorn
Consultant-performed
Dr Syed Junaid or Dr Huw Edwards assesses you and performs the block themselves.
See the nerve
Nerves are small. Live ultrasound lets us see the nerve and place the medication right next to it.
Seen within 48 hours
No long wait in pain. Most appointments are booked within 48 hours of enquiry.
HIW regulated
Inspected by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, with GMC-registered consultants.
Interrupting pain at its source
Some pain comes from a specific nerve: one that's irritated, compressed, or carrying pain signals from a damaged joint. When that's the case, treating the nerve directly can give relief that tablets and general treatments can't.
A nerve block uses ultrasound guidance to place local anaesthetic and steroid right next to the nerve causing your pain. The anaesthetic numbs the nerve straight away, and the steroid calms the irritation around it, interrupting pain signals for longer. Typical relief lasts 1–3 months, and sometimes longer.
Nerve blocks are also diagnostic. If your pain eases while the anaesthetic is working, it confirms that nerve is involved, which helps guide your next steps. Our most common is the suprascapular nerve block for shoulder pain.
A nerve block may help if any of these sound familiar
Targeted blocks, head to toe
All ultrasound-guided and consultant-performed.
Suprascapular nerve
The main nerve supplying the shoulder joint. Blocking it can ease pain from shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff problems and frozen shoulder, and help you get through rehab.
Greater occipital nerve
Runs from the back of the neck over the scalp. A block can help headaches that start at the base of the skull, such as occipital neuralgia.
Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh
When this nerve is compressed near the hip, it causes burning, tingling or numbness on the outer thigh, known as meralgia paraesthetica.
Morton's neuroma
A thickened nerve between the toes, usually the third and fourth, causing sharp or burning pain in the ball of the foot.
Other superficial nerves
We can inject a range of other superficial nerves, both for pain relief and to help confirm where pain is coming from.
Not sure which nerve?
If you're not sure a nerve block is right for you, our consultants can review your symptoms and scans and recommend the best approach.
Your consultant will assess your symptoms and scans and tell you honestly whether a nerve block is the right treatment, or whether another injection would work better.
How nerve blocks compare to other options
Most people do best with a combination. We'll help you choose the right next step.
Painkillers
- What it does
- Dampens pain throughout the body
- Drawbacks
- Side effects with long-term use
- At Acorn
- Reviewed at consultation
Nerve block
- What it does
- Interrupts pain signals from a specific nerve
- Bonus
- Can confirm where pain comes from
- At Acorn
- From £350
Joint steroid injection
- What it does
- Calms inflammation inside a joint
- Best for
- Inflamed joints, bursae, tendons
- At Acorn
- £350
Surgery
- What it does
- Treats the underlying structure
- Recovery
- Hospital procedure, longer recovery
- At Acorn
- Onward referral if needed
Your procedure, step by step
Meet your consultant
We talk through your pain, history and medication, and confirm which nerve to target.
Find the nerve
We locate the nerve on ultrasound, then clean the skin and numb the area.
The nerve block
The medication is placed around the nerve under live ultrasound. The injection itself is quick.
Home with a plan
Aftercare advice and a simple pain diary before you leave, with a written report to follow.
What recovery looks like
First few hours
The area the nerve supplies may feel numb, heavy or weak. Note how your pain feels, as this helps with diagnosis.
Same day
Arrange a lift home, especially after a shoulder, thigh or foot block. Protect the numb area until feeling returns.
Days 1–3
Some soreness at the injection site is normal. The pain may return briefly before the steroid takes effect.
Days 3–7
Most people notice the pain easing as the steroid calms the irritation around the nerve.
1–3 months
Typical length of relief, sometimes longer. Use this window to keep active and progress any rehab.
Any concerns
Call us on 029 2199 9300 if the area becomes hot, red or increasingly painful, or you feel unwell.
Preparation — no fasting needed
How to prepare for your nerve block
Afterwards: protect the numb area until feeling returns, note how your pain changes over the first few hours, and avoid strenuous use of the area for 48 hours. Your consultant will give you specific advice before you leave.
What our patients say
I was given an almost immediate appointment with clear guidance. Dr Syed conversed with me in a reassuring manner. I left with excellent aftercare advice. The next day I am completely pain free!
Very professional clinic. I felt safe and looked after by Dr Syed Junaid and his team. I travelled far to the clinic, and am very pleased I did.
Excellent service. From a fantastic easy online booking service to the procedure itself — the doctor fed back the result directly to me. Very efficient and professional.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for the whole procedure, with no hidden extras.
Steroid injection
- ✓For inflamed joints, bursae and tendons
- ✓Diagnostic scan of the area included
- ✓Ultrasound-guided by a consultant
Nerve block
- ✓Local anaesthetic and steroid around the nerve
- ✓Diagnostic and therapeutic
- ✓Ultrasound-guided by a consultant
Consultation
- ✓20-minute consultation with our doctor
- ✓Honest advice on the right treatment
- ✓Credited if you have treatment the same day
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
All prices include consultation, ultrasound-guided procedure, medication, written report and aftercare advice.
Nerve blocks at our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Cowbridge, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about nerve blocks
How much does a nerve block cost in Cardiff?
Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks at Acorn start from £350 all-inclusive. That covers the consultant consultation, the ultrasound-guided injection, the medication, sterile equipment, a written report and aftercare advice. We'll confirm the price for your specific nerve block when you book.
What is a nerve block?
A nerve block is a targeted injection of local anaesthetic and steroid around a specific nerve that's causing pain. The local anaesthetic numbs the nerve straight away, and the steroid calms irritation around it, interrupting the pain signals for longer.
Which nerve blocks do you offer?
Common ones include the suprascapular nerve (shoulder pain), greater occipital nerve (headaches from the back of the head), lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (burning outer thigh pain) and Morton's neuroma injections (foot). We can also inject other superficial nerves.
How long does a nerve block last?
The local anaesthetic wears off after a few hours. The steroid then takes over, typically giving 1–3 months of relief, and sometimes longer. Some people find blocks work better with each repeat.
Can a nerve block help diagnose my pain?
Yes. If your pain eases while the local anaesthetic is working, it's a strong sign that nerve is involved. That's why nerve blocks are both diagnostic and therapeutic. We'll ask you to note how your pain feels over the first few hours.
Why use ultrasound guidance?
Nerves are small and often sit close to blood vessels. Ultrasound lets us see the nerve and surrounding structures and watch the needle in real time, so the medication goes exactly where it's needed. Many nerve blocks can only be done safely with ultrasound.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, a referral is required for all injections, including nerve blocks. It can come from your GP, physiotherapist, podiatrist or consultant. Please email it to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment. No referral? Book a £120 consultation with one of our doctors first.
Is a nerve block painful?
Most people find it briefly uncomfortable rather than painful. The skin is numbed first, and because we can see the nerve on ultrasound, the needle goes straight to the right place. You may feel a brief tingle if the needle is close to the nerve.
What will I feel afterwards?
The area the nerve supplies may feel numb, heavy or weak for a few hours. For example, after a suprascapular block your shoulder may be hard to lift. This is expected and wears off as the anaesthetic does.
What are the side effects?
They're uncommon. You may have some soreness at the injection site for a day or two. Because steroid is used, some people notice facial flushing, a night or two of poor sleep, or, if diabetic, raised blood sugar for a few days. Infection and bleeding are rare.
Can I drive home afterwards?
We recommend arranging a lift, especially for shoulder, thigh or foot blocks, as the area may be numb or weak for a few hours.
Can nerve blocks be repeated?
Yes, if the first one helped and your consultant agrees it's appropriate. As steroid is used, we'll space repeat injections sensibly and discuss other options if you need them often.
Is it covered by health insurance?
Many insurers cover nerve blocks when there's a clinical need. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz. Check with your insurer and bring an authorisation code.
Where can I have a nerve block near Cardiff?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre with free street parking.
Target the pain, not the whole body.
Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks performed by a Consultant Radiologist. Home the same day, most appointments within 48 hours. From £350 all-inclusive.
Still not sure? Start with a £120 consultation.
We'll examine you, scan if needed and recommend the right treatment. Book your procedure the same day and the £120 is credited against it.
Book a consultation