The doctor begins the procedure by first administering a local anesthetic to numb the tissue surrounding the injection site and relax the patient to avoid any tension and movement. Then the doctor uses fluoroscopy to guide the needle to the sympathetic nerve. They may saturate the area near the nerve with a contrast dye to ensure the needle is properly positioned.
The lumbar sympathetic block injection is then administered near the nerves. This medicinal anesthetic mixture bathes the nerves and ideally numbs the patient’s chronic pain. If the orthopaedist has found the right spot, the injection will provide immediate relief for the patient. It’s not uncommon for a patient to need multiple lumbar sympathetic block injections before all the sources of pain have been completely identified.
Following the procedure, your Non-Surgical Orthopaedic doctor will monitor you for a short period to ensure there aren’t any adverse reactions to the injection. You will then be sent home to relax.
Patients often experience numbness or weakness of the legs, which should subside within a few hours. It is recommended that patients take the rest of the day off of work after their lumbar sympathetic block injection. They should be capable of returning to normal activities the following day.
Depending on the severity and source of the pain, more than one injection may be necessary for patients, in which case they will need to return for more lumbar sympathetic block injections. Based on the outcome of your lumbar sympathetic block injections your certified orthopaedic specialist may offer additional treatment recommendations.