History of Pudendal Nerve Blocks.

[Jackson]

Hi,

I've been mulling over whether this post should go here because of the authenticity of the source. This is not a medical journal entry.

I'm replying to a post, which I can no longer find, as to how long pudendal nerve blocks have been used. One answer mentioned the use of these blocks for women during child brith in the 1960s,70s before epidurals came on the scene.

Ok. The Birmingham Army Hospital, Balboa Ave and Van Owen St, VAN NUYS, California was built in 1943. It treated amputees and paraplegics injured during World War 2. This is factual and can be researched.

In 1950 a film," The Men", was released starring Marlon Brando. It was shot largely at the hospital and included forty-five of the patients who had agreed to appear. According to my research the scripwriter spent a lot of time at the hospital for accuracy and feeling.

In one tension-filled scene a man in a white coat (a doctor of course) tells the patients (paraplegics in wheel chairs):
"Tomorrow we start doing PUDENDAL blocks"(for ED). Given that the writer researched the hospital, it's possible/likely that pudendal blocks were being done way back in the late 1940s (if you can believe Hollywood). I'm prepared to, after researchihg, watching the film, and based on my 'medical' knowledge.

Quite apart from the reference to pudendal nerve blocks this film resonated with me given the psychological battle the patients faced with their medical condition (there are people on this forum going through psychological battles,too). The reference to the pudendal nerve comes about 40' into the movie? Suggest you watch the entire movie as it also illustrates the frustration of the "expert" doctors in trying to offer the patients hope through treatment (still happening?). And the ramification for spouses of patients which I feel some here may relate to(based on some of the posts). And importantly this could be the first 'historical' evidence of pudendal nerve injections? Fictional plot, yes, based on fact in the 1940s, apparently. Good movie, too!

Trust this is the appropriate section.

Cheers Jackson

[ezer]

Interesting post Jackson. Youtube has the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnyzugPQlWI