Femoral Branch and Obturator Nerve Block and Ablation

A femoral branch and obturator nerve block is a minimally invasive procedure used to relieve chronic hip, groin, or thigh pain by targeting two major nerves:

• The femoral nerve, which supplies sensation to parts of the thigh and hip.
• The obturator nerve, which supplies sensation to the inner thigh and hip joint.

By injecting local anesthetic (and sometimes steroids) near these nerves, your doctor can temporarily interrupt pain signals and assess whether these nerves are the source of your pain.

If the nerve block successfully reduces your pain, a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be performed later. Nerve ablation uses controlled radiofrequency energy to heat and deactivate the small sensory branches of these nerves, providing longer-lasting pain relief (typically months to a year or more).

Your provider may recommend a nerve block and ablation if you have:

• Chronic hip or groin pain
• Persistent pain after hip replacement or surgery
• Pain related to hip osteoarthritis
• Pain not fully responding to medications, therapy, or injections
• Candidates for non-surgical nerve-based pain relief

The goal is to help you reduce or eliminate hip pain, improve movement, and enhance your quality of life.

For the Nerve Block:

• You will lie on your back.
• The skin around the hip area is cleaned and sterilized.
• A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin.
• Using ultrasound or fluoroscopy (X-ray) guidance, a thin needle is precisely placed near the femoral and obturator nerves.
• A small amount of anesthetic (and possibly steroid) is injected.

For the Ablation (if needed later):

• The process is similar to the block, but instead of injecting medication, the doctor will use a radiofrequency probe to apply heat and disable the pain-carrying nerve fibers.
• Both procedures typically take about 30–45 minutes, and you can go home the same day.

• After the nerve block, you may feel immediate numbness or pain relief that can last several hours to a few days.
• After ablation, full pain relief typically occurs within 2–3 weeks as the nerves are deactivated and the inflammation subsides.
• Mild soreness or bruising at the injection site is normal and resolves quickly.
• You should limit strenuous activities for 24–48 hours after the procedure.
• Most patients experience significant pain reduction and improved function after successful nerve ablation.

Both procedures are generally safe. Rare risks include:

• Temporary numbness or weakness in the thigh or hip
• Bruising, bleeding, or soreness at the injection site
• Infection (very rare)
• Allergic reaction to medications (extremely rare)

At Horizon Spine & Pain of Utah, we use precision-guided techniques and sterile procedures to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness.

Patients trust Horizon Spine & Pain of Utah because we offer:

• Board-certified specialists with extensive expertise in nerve pain management
• Advanced image-guided techniques for accuracy and safety
• Customized treatment plans based on each patient's unique needs
• Minimally invasive options focused on improving quality of life without major surgery

Our mission is to help you move easier, feel better, and live pain-free.