Lumbar Sympathetic Block

Overview

A lumbar Sympathetic Block is a procedure where local anesthetics are applied to the sympathetic nerves in the lower back, near the spine. These nerves are part of the sympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate blood flow and transmits pain signals between the spinal cord and the peripheral tissues.

Procedure

This procedure is specifically aimed at blocking the sympathetic nerves that branch out to the leg on the side where the injection is administered. This helps reduce pain and swelling while improving mobility in the legs. Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks are used to treat various chronic conditions, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), and Sympathetic Maintained Pain.

The procedure typically takes around 10-30 minutes and involves the use of local anesthetics. In some cases, other medications like steroid medication, clonidine, or epinephrine may be used to extend the duration of the Lumbar Sympathetic Block.

What to expect afterwards:

During the procedure, patients may experience some discomfort as the needle is inserted into the skin for the injection. To minimize this, local anesthesia can be applied. Patients lie face down on their stomachs during the procedure, and various monitoring devices such as an EKG, blood pressure cuff, and oxygen-monitoring machines are used to ensure safety. X-ray guidance is also used to ensure the needle is correctly placed outside of the spine.

After the needle is properly positioned, a small amount of dye is injected to confirm the medication will reach the intended area. The injection itself takes only a few minutes to complete.

Following the procedure, patients may experience numbness or weakness in the leg, as well as a reduction in pain. Patients should arrange for transportation home after the procedure and resume regular activities the next day.