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A lumbar sympathetic nerve block is often used as a leg pain treatment, or to manage malfunctions of the sympathetic nervous system (the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as breathing and heartbeat). It’s also used to treat chronic back pain and acute back pain.
Conditions and disorders associated with sympathetic nerve dysfunction include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), swelling, and spasms in the blood vessels.
During this outpatient procedure, a physician injects a numbing medication into the area surrounding the sympathetic nerves. Patients should arrange for someone to drive them home, as they may experience temporary numbness and weakness, along with drowsiness, if they receive a sedative before the procedure. Often, patients will need repeat injections over time to get the maximum pain-relieving benefits from this procedure.
Patients may experience mild soreness and bruising after this procedure but are usually able to resume normal activities the following day. Physical therapy may be recommended as part of a longer rehabilitation plan. Patients should be prepared to follow their physician’s orders during the recovery phase.
Medication alone is rarely effective in treating disorders of the sympathetic nervous system and chronic nerve pain. Lumbar sympathetic blocks treat nerve dysfunction at the source, producing better outcomes.
Get help for chronic nerve pain by contacting American Pain Consortium to schedule your consultation.
We encourage creativity, improvement, and development with a willingness to learn from our adaptations, even those that are not successful.Together we make a difference by bringing new, meaningful ideas and by pursuing professional growth.