Ilioinguinal & Iliohypogastric Nerve Block
Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Nerve Block
These targeted nerve blocks may be considered for selected patients with focal neuropathic lower-abdominal or groin pain, particularly after surgery, trauma, or a nerve injury involving the ilioinguinal or iliohypogastric distribution.
Ultrasound guidance can help identify the relevant fascial planes and nearby anatomy. Local anesthetic is used diagnostically and therapeutically; corticosteroid may be added in selected cases. Relief is variable and often temporary, and the block should not be presented as a guaranteed treatment for nonspecific pelvic or abdominal pain.
Risks
Potential risks include bruising, bleeding, infection, medication reaction, temporary numbness, nerve irritation or injury, local-anesthetic toxicity if inadvertently injected intravascularly, and injury to nearby structures.
You will arrive at our clinic 15 minutes prior to your appointment with or without a designated driver where we will educate you at length on the benefits & risks of the procedure. After this discussion we will then have you sign a consent form and you will subsequently be positioned in preparation for the procedure.
An antiseptic alcohol solution will then be used to clean the site of injection & surrounding skin to help decrease chances of infection. The procedure site will then be identified under ultrasound guidance. Once the site is appropriately identified an injection of a numbing medication called lidocaine will be administered to numb the site of injection & surrounding skin. Once the lidocaine has settled the ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric nerves will receive an injection cocktail consisting of an anesthetic (bupivacaine) and a steroid (kenalog). This cocktail disperses and bathes the nerves allowing targeted medication delivery with with response varying from patient to patient of their chronic groin, inguinal pain, and/or lower abdomen/pelvic pain. You will then be observed for an additional 10-15 minutes following completion of the procedure to ensure your safety and then scheduled for post-procedural follow up by our staff.
What To Expect After Either Procedure
● Substantial reduction in groin pain
● Substantial reduction in inguinal pain
● Substantial reduction in lower abdomen/pelvic pain
● Improved mobility, range of motion, and activity of the affected & nearby region
● Pain relief ranging from days to months
● Acute short term mild swelling or pain around the injection site
Risks Associated With Ilioinguinal & Iliohypogastric Nerve Block
● Misplacement of the needle
● Unexpected bleeding
● Drug allergies
● Infection
● Nerve damage
● Worsening pain
Clinical Evidence, Limitations & Patient Selection
Ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block can be considered for focal neuropathic lower-abdominal or groin pain, especially postsurgical or post-traumatic pain in the appropriate distribution.
Important limitation: Published evidence is limited and the procedure is not a general treatment for nonspecific pelvic or abdominal pain.
Every procedure has potential risks, and individual benefit cannot be guaranteed. Recommendations at Solutions in Pain are based on the diagnosis, examination, relevant imaging, prior treatment, medical history, medications, patient goals, current evidence, and applicable payer requirements.
Patient-education content updated September 2026. This information does not replace an individualized medical evaluation or informed-consent discussion.
