The ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal nerve block is a procedure that is non-surgical in nature and is done to help patients experience pain relief in the hips and the lower abdominal area. This requires the injection of a steroid that is anti-inflammatory, along the ilioinguinal nerve with great accuracy.

In preparation for this procedure, the abdomen is first swabbed and sterilized using antiseptic solution. Local anesthetic is then applied to the abdomen, numbing it. A handheld ultrasound probe is then used to aid in the visualization of the nerves anatomy and the tissues surrounding it. This helps to ensure that the medication is accurately injected into the desired location.

Once the area where the needle is to be inserted is determined, a needle is carefully guided into the abdomen to the ilioinguinal nerve that is causing the problem and the medication is slowly applied. Once that is done, the needle is carefully withdrawn. The medication (a mixture of anesthetic and steroid) will help calm the nerve and reduce pre-existing pain and inflammation. Depending on the patient’s response to the treatment, the procedure may be performed more than once if the situation calls for it.