After an injury to a joint or limb pain progresses in the leg which is caused by complex regional pain. In order to relieve the pain, a lumbar sympathetic block performed with a series of injections.
During the procedure, the patient lies on a special table, which houses a special x-ray unit, called a Fluoroscope. The position of the patient is either on their stomach or side, depending on the comfort level. In order to relax the patient during the procedure, an intravenous line this administers medication to the patient. The skin and tissue down to the sympathetic nerve is numb by a local anesthetic.
In order to locate the painful areas as well as the correct location for the needle, the physician slides a needle through the anesthetized track. Using a fluoroscope and contrast solution, the painful areas identified. Injected around the sympathetic nerves to block pain signals to the brain is a combination solution of anesthetic saline and anti-inflammatory medicine.
After the procedure, the patient’s legs may feel weak for a few hours but pain will improve. This procedure may need to be repeated once a week until all pain subsides. Physicians warn patients who are on blood thinning medication or have an infection should not receive this procedure.