Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks

Lumbar sympathetic blocks are used to treat a variety of pain conditions- most notably for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the lower extremity.

 

Lumbar sympathetic blocks are performed by injecting local anesthetics near the lumbar sympathetic chain to interrupt the symptoms of sympathetically mediated pain. Sympathetically mediated pain is the predominant cause of the symptoms of CRPS. An injection at the sympathetic chain may reduce symptoms such as pain, swelling, color and sweating. The patient may also note a profound improvement in mobility. These improvements can provide a huge advantage when treating CRPS as it allows for them to perform physical therapy effectively. This will ultimately allow for long-term improvement in symptoms.