Ilioinguinal / Iliohypogastric / Genitofemoral Nerve Blocks

Wessex Pain Clinic

Ilioinguinal / Iliohypogastric / Genitofemoral Nerve Blocks

Ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genitofemoral nerve blocks are targeted injections used to diagnose and treat pain in the lower abdomen, groin, and upper inner thigh. These nerves can become irritated following surgery, trauma, or entrapment — leading to persistent discomfort that may not respond to conventional treatments.

How the Procedure Works

The ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genitofemoral nerves are branches of the lumbar plexus that supply sensation to the lower abdominal wall, groin region, and — in some cases — the upper thigh and genital area. When these nerves are inflamed or compressed, they can cause sharp, burning, or aching pain that is often worsened by movement or touch.

Your consultant will identify the most likely nerve involved based on your symptoms and examination. Using ultrasound or anatomical landmark guidance, a fine needle is placed near the affected nerve, and a small amount of local anaesthetic, often with corticosteroid, is injected to reduce inflammation and calm the nerve.

The procedure can be both diagnostic and therapeutic, helping confirm the source of your pain and potentially offering relief.

What Conditions It Can Help With

These nerve blocks are commonly used for:

Groin pain following hernia repair or other abdominal surgery

Nerve entrapment syndromes (e.g. ilioinguinal neuralgia)

Pain after caesarean section or other pelvic procedures

Persistent post-surgical or post-traumatic lower abdominal pain

Neuropathic pain affecting the groin or upper inner thigh

Aimed Benefits

The aim of these nerve blocks is to:

Reduce pain in the lower abdominal wall, groin, or genital region

Confirm the involvement of a specific nerve (diagnostic clarity)

Enable greater comfort during activity or rehabilitation

Guide decisions about further treatments, such as pulsed radiofrequency.

What to Expect

This is a short outpatient procedure, typically lasting 15–30 minutes. You will lie comfortably while the injection site is cleaned and the skin numbed. Your consultant will use either ultrasound or anatomical guidance to accurately target the nerve. The injection itself may produce a brief sensation or reproduction of your usual symptoms, followed by numbness or relief in the affected area. Most patients go home the same day and can resume light activity shortly afterwards.

Risks and Considerations

All procedures carry some risks, which will be discussed in detail with you during your consultation. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, and formal consent will always be obtained before any procedure is carried out.

Combined Approach / Multidisciplinary Care

At Wessex Pain Clinic we find that the best results come from combining medical treatments with active rehabilitation. Procedures are often most effective when paired with physiotherapy, movement-based exercise, and — where appropriate — psychological support. This comprehensive approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of pain and supports longer-term improvement.

Key Points Summary

Targeted injections for groin and lower abdominal nerve pain
Used for ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, or genitofemoral nerve-related pain
Can relieve pain and help confirm the nerve involved
Outpatient procedure using ultrasound or anatomical guidance
May guide further treatment such as pulsed radiofrequency

Disclaimer

Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.

At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.

Driving advice: You should not drive that day if receiving any sedation. Our procedures do vary on whether they are possible to drive home from yourself, please seek advice from your consultant about driving advice. If you are seeing us for an injection and planning on driving, please check with us beforehand about whether it will be possible to drive yourself home afterwards.

Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester – with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region.

Marvin Woodrow

One visit and my pain problems have been resolved. Will definitely use again if the need arises. Can recommend Dr. Tom Bloomfield as he is very professional and communicates all aspects of the procedure so that it is understandable.

Jennifer Rudder

Dr Bloomfield is amazing. He has helped me so much. He clearly lives what he does and because of that is truly engaging and listens. I am so pleased with the outcome too, I feel much more myself and have confidence that my issue will become a thing of the past. I highly recommend seeing Dr Bloomfield for any issues you may have with pain.

Evie Cox

I highly recommend Dr Bloomfield at the Wessex Pain clinic! I was referred to Dr Bloomfield after 18 months of unrelenting knee pain which had stopped me from all activities I had previously enjoyed, even simply walking my dog each day. All previous treatments had been unsuccessful in reducing my pain, but Dr Bloomfield recommended trying a nerve block to reduce my pain levels. He was incredibly gentle and compassionate during the procedure and in all consultations, and his approach to managing and treating pain from all different angles in life is refreshing! Two weeks on from the procedure and I have been able to get back to walking my dog daily and I'm very much looking forward to increasing my activity levels again now that my pain levels have dropped so significantly. I can't recommend Dr Bloomfield enough, thank you for giving me back my freedom of movement!

Roger Christie

Dr. Bloomfield was very helpful, kind and considerate. He listened, discussed concerns, explained everything and gave us time, something nowadays one does not always receive. He understood the pain I was experiencing and I am hoping that the treatment options suggested will work in the long term. The clinic itself is well presented and welcoming.

Sarah Clark

I saw Dr Bloomfield this week at Wessex Pain Clinic and was incredibly impressed by both his medical knowledge and communication skills. He was efficient, empathetic, and validating throughout the appointment. I received a copy of his clinic letter just three hours after our consultation, which was outstanding. He also shared some excellent ideas for pain management interventions that felt thoughtful and tailored to my needs. I'm a complex patient with a very complicated medical history. I would thoroughly recommend both Dr Bloomfield and Wessex Pain Clinic to anyone seeking expert and compassionate care.

Jacek Omilian

I’m really grateful to Dr Hyde for her time, clarity, and kindness during my pain management consultation. I came in worried that my ankle pain might be turning into something chronic or more serious. She took my concerns seriously, explained everything in a way I could understand, and helped me feel much more reassured. She combined medical knowledge with real empathy something I really appreciated. I left with a clear plan, including medication advice and practical steps to reduce the risk of long-term pain. This was one of the most helpful and supportive consultations I’ve ever had. Thank you.

Hannah Farrell

My treatment with Dr Hyde was exactly what I needed to help my pain. Incredible, personal service I will defiantly be back.

Wessex Pain Clinic

Dr Matt Stubbs

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Dr Eleanor Hyde

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Dr Tom Bloomfield

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Dr Jo Harding

Consultant in Pain Medicine FRCA FFPMRCA

Wessex Pain Clinics

Ilioinguinal / Iliohypogastric / Genitofemoral Nerve Blocks

Wessex Pain Clinic