A sympathetic nerve block involves injecting a local numbing anesthetic (lidocaine, bupivacaine) and a corticosteroid into the space where the sympathetic nerve ganglion are located. A local skin anesthetic is given first to numb the area and then another needle is inserted near the ganglion. The entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes and X-ray guidance is used to ensure proper needle position. Sometimes your physician will recommend intravenous sedation to make the procedure more comfortable. Your physician will monitor you after the procedure to see what effects the block has on your pain.

“What should I do and expect after the procedure?

20-30 minutes after the procedure you will move the affected area to try to provoke your usual pain. You may or may not obtain improvement in the first few hours after the injection depending upon if the sympathetic nerves are carrying your pain signals. You may notice increased warmth in the affected extremity for 4-18 hours after the block. If the sympathetic nerves in the neck are injected (stellate ganglion), you will also notice a slight drooping of the eyelid and redness of the eye for several hours. This is normal, and will resolve over 4-18 hours. You should report your remaining pain (if any) and record the relief you experience during the next week on a “pain diary”€ we will provide. Email or mail the completed pain diary back one week after the injection so that your treating physician can be informed of your results and plan future tests and/or treatment if needed.”