Sympathetic Nerve Block

A sympathetic nerve block can be helpful in treating a painful

extremity. It can change how the nerves and blood vessels in

that extremity respond to injury and disease.

When a nerve is excited or injured, its endings release

chemicals. These chemicals cause an opening of the blood

vessels. This results in inflammation which then leads to more

stimulation of the sensory nerve fibers. Over time, an increased

sensitivity to pain occurs. Arms, wrists, hands, fingers, legs,

ankles and feet are the regions of the body rich in nerve

endings and are most commonly affected. If you experience

tingling, swelling, numbness, discoloration, or pain in your

extremities this treatment may be right for you.

The sympathetic nervous system can also become overactive

due to numerous diseases:

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

• Chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and

hypertension.

• Ischemic heart disease.

• Hypertension.

• Kidney disease.

• Type II diabetes.

• Metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Your sympathetic nerves come together outside your spine

area in thick networks of nerves called ganglions. If you have

pain in the upper part of your body, you may get pain relief

from blocking the stellate ganglion in your neck area. If you

have pain in the lower part of your body, a ganglion near the

lower spine may be targeted with a lumbar sympathetic block.

This temporarily ‘turns off’ the nerves and reduces pain by

attempting to reset them to normal. After the first successful 

administration of the nerve block,subsequent blocks can be 

performed if the pain continues to keep decreasing.

Side effects after a sympathetic block may include weakness,

temporary soreness, or a feeling of warmth. Some patients may

experience eyelid droop if they had an injection in the neck,

some temporary changes in your voice, or difficulty swallowing.

Sympathetic blocks don't work for every patient. Also, the pain

relief may lessen over time. For others, a sympathetic block

may provide weeks, months or complete pain relief. If you're

interested considering a block, please discuss with your orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon.