OUR SERVICES
Lumbar Sympathetic Block
Targeted Relief for Chronic Nerve Pain
If you are suffering from persistent, burning pain in your legs or feet that doesn’t respond to standard treatments, you may be dealing with an overactive sympathetic nervous system. A Lumbar Sympathetic Block is a specialized interventional procedure designed to calm the nerves that control your body’s “fight or flight” response, which, when misfiring, can lead to debilitating chronic pain. At New South Medical, we provide advanced, minimally invasive blocks to help patients regain comfort and improve their quality of life.
What is a Lumbar Sympathetic Block?
The sympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that runs along the front of your spine. Sometimes, these nerves continue to send pain signals long after an injury has healed or for no apparent reason, leading to conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). A lumbar sympathetic block involves injecting an anesthetic medication near this chain of nerves to "reset" the system, interrupting the pain signals and reducing associated swelling and temperature changes in the lower body.
Conditions We Treat
This procedure is primarily used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the sympathetic nervous system. We commonly use lumbar sympathetic blocks to manage:
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS):
A chronic condition causing intense burning pain, swelling, and color changes in a limb.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD):
A type of nerve pain often resulting from an injury that causes the nervous system to misfire.
Vascular Insufficiency:
Pain caused by poor blood flow in the legs or feet.
Shingles (Post-Herpetic Neuralgia):
Lingering nerve pain following a shingles outbreak in the lower body.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Safety, comfort, and clinical accuracy are our priorities. The procedure is performed in our office-based suite and typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes.
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Preparation: You will be positioned comfortably, typically lying on your stomach. The skin over your lower back will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
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Fluoroscopic Guidance: Using live X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy), our specialists guide a fine needle toward the sympathetic nerve chain. This advanced imaging ensures the medication is delivered to the exact right spot, avoiding surrounding tissues.
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The Injection: A small amount of contrast dye is used to verify the needle position. Once confirmed, the anesthetic medication is injected to block the sympathetic nerves.
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Recovery: You will be monitored in the clinic for a short period. Because this block affects the nerves in your leg, you may feel temporary warmth, tingling, or heaviness in the limb.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a lumbar sympathetic block diagnostic or therapeutic?
It is both. It is diagnostic because if your pain improves after the block, it confirms that your pain is being maintained by the sympathetic nervous system. It is therapeutic because it can provide significant, often long-lasting relief from that pain.
How many injections will I need?
The number of injections depends on your individual response. Many patients require a series of blocks to achieve maximal, long-term benefit. We will create a personalized plan based on how you respond to the initial procedure.
Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is performed using a local anesthetic to numb the skin, so discomfort is minimal. You may feel slight pressure during the needle placement, but our use of fluoroscopic guidance makes the process fast and precise.
Can I return to my normal activities?
Most patients are able to return to their regular daily activities the day following the procedure. You may experience some temporary changes in the temperature or sensation of your leg, but these are normal and typically subside within a few hours.