Study questions effectiveness of paravertebral blocks for chronic pain relief

A new study has examined the use of paravertebral blocks (PVBs) for managing chronic pain in Ontario. Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute analysed data from thousands of patients over nearly five years. Their findings raise questions about the procedure’s effectiveness despite its widespread use. PVBs involve injecting medication near the spine’s nerves to relieve chronic pain. The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Pain, tracked 66,310 patients who received the treatment between July 2013 and March 2018. Of these, 47,723 were included in the final analysis.

The results showed no overall change in opioid use in the year after a patient’s first PVB compared to the year before. However, physician visits increased significantly during the same period. Over 26% of patients underwent the procedure ten or more times in a single year, with nearly 8% receiving it 30 or more times. Since 2011, Ontario’s public health system (OHIP) has been billed over $420 million for nerve block procedures, including PVBs. Chronic pain affects one in five Canadians, often disrupting daily life and long-term health.

The study highlights the high frequency of PVB use in Ontario without clear evidence of reduced opioid reliance. With millions spent on these procedures, further research may be needed to assess their long-term benefits. The findings were published under DOI 10.1080/24740527.2021.1929883.