What is a Sympathetic Nerve Injection?
A lumbar sympathetic nerve injection can be used to treat and diagnose Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome), vascular insufficiency of the lower extremity, Herpes Zoster, Post Herpetic Neuralgia of the lumbar area, phantom limb pain, and stump pain. Wear loose comfortable clothing, and bring someone with you who will drive you home after the procedure. Lumbar sympathetic blocks are usually performed in the office where x-ray equipment is available to verify placement of the needle. Patients are placed in the prone position (face down). The skin is washed with a sterile prep. Local anesthetic is injected into the skin. The physician will insert a needle at the L2-3 level. Placement is confirmed with x-ray and x-ray dye. Local anesthetic is then injected through that needle. After the procedure, the temperature of the lower limb on the injected side rises. The extremity will return to normal color and the pain may be dramatically decreased. Your reaction to the i
