If the pain goes away, but returns in the future, additional epidural injections can be given, as needed up to six per year, to help relieve the pain. Arm pain is treated by injecting the Stellate Ganglion in the neck, leg pain by the lumbar sympathetic chain in the low back. If the nerve block is done soon after the diagnosis is made, combined with vigorous physical therapy, the RSD is often curable. If treatment is delayed, the CRPS may not be curable, and lead to permanent disability. Other serious complications, such as bleeding, air in the lung or permanent nerve damage have been reported following nerve block procedures, but are very rare, and you are encouraged to ask your doctor if you have any questions concerning the risks of your procedure.
Medicinal steroids are safe, even in high doses, when used for short periods of time.
Cushings Syndrome and adrenal suppression are rare complications, but tissue, bone and eye damage can occur. Be patient, steroids are potent, but usually take 5-7 days to reach their full effect, which is the reason we wait one full week to reevaluate you after the injection. It is used in very selective cases when routine nerve blocks help relieve pain, but for too short a time. In 1998, the FDA approved its use for coagulation and decompression of the disc. It is performed by briefly inserting a small wire inside the disc and heating it to destroy the nerves causing pain and denature the collagen, both located in the annulus of the disc.