Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block
Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley, S.C. • APPLETON OFFICE 820 East Grant Street Suite 335 Appleton, WI 54911 920-733-7230 or 877-733-7230 920-733-7231 (fax) • NEENAH OFFICE 100 Medical Office Plaza Suite A252 Neenah, WI 54956 (920)733-7230 (920)729-0347 (fax) OUR MEDICAL STAFF A.E. Yakovlev M.D. Arthur A. Padilla M.D. Beth Resch APNP Dia M. Welch MSN, APNP Email This Page		WHAT IS A LUMBAR SYMPATHETIC NERVE BLOCK? A lumbar sympathetic nerve block is an injection of medication near the sympathetic chain, a group of nerves that run along the spinal column. Injury to one of these nerves can cause the firing of pain signals in the nervous system, resulting in pain and decreased blood flow to extremities. HOW DOES A LUMBAR SYMPATHETIC NERVE BLOCK ALLEVIATE MY PAIN? Lumbar sympathetic nerve blocks can interrupt the abnormal firing of the sympathetic nerves. A combination of two medications is used in this injection: a local anesthetic and a steroid. The local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief by numbing the area of the injection. The numbing effect will typically wear off in 4–6 hours. The steroid provides pain relief by reducing the inflammation in the area of the injection. The steroid can take 2–10 days to begin working. A series of injections may be needed to provide the desired pain relief. POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS ACTIVITY: - Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure. - Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the rest of the day. - Normal activity can be resumed on the following day, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. - No heavy lifting for several days after the injection. DIET: - Resume your regular diet. - You may experience diarrhea or loose stools after this procedure. If so, drink ample fluids to prevent dehydration. PATIENT COMFORT: - Keep the injection site clean and dry. - If you have a dressing, it can be removed the following day. You can then shower - Take medication as prescribed by your doctor - An ice pack can be applied to the injection site once the effect of the local anesthetic wears off. The ice pack should be applied for no more than 20 minutes at a time SYMPTOMS TO REPORT: - Rash or itching - Increasing abdominal pain - Nausea - Change in bowel or bladder habits - Note any side effects such as headache, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or loss of bladder control. Such side effects are rare, and typically subside within 24 hours. - (Patients with Diabetes) You may experience a worsening of diabetic symptoms (excessive thirst, excessive urination, elevated blood sugars). Check your blood sugar twice a day for 2 weeks following the injections. Call your physician who is managing your diabetes if you experience any increase in symptoms. If you have any questions or concerns related to your treatment, please contact Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley S.C.

Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block

Comprehensive
Pain Management
of the Fox Valley, S.C.

• APPLETON OFFICE
820 East Grant Street
Suite 335
Appleton, WI 54911
920-733-7230 or
877-733-7230
920-733-7231 (fax)

• NEENAH OFFICE
100 Medical Office Plaza
Suite A252
Neenah, WI 54956
(920)733-7230
(920)729-0347 (fax)

OUR MEDICAL STAFF
A.E. Yakovlev M.D.
Arthur A. Padilla M.D.
Beth Resch APNP
Dia M. Welch MSN, APNP

Email This Page

WHAT IS A LUMBAR SYMPATHETIC NERVE BLOCK?

A lumbar sympathetic nerve block is an injection of medication near the sympathetic chain, a group of nerves that run along the spinal column. Injury to one of these nerves can cause the firing of pain signals in the nervous system, resulting in pain and decreased blood flow to extremities.

HOW DOES A LUMBAR SYMPATHETIC NERVE BLOCK ALLEVIATE MY PAIN?

Lumbar sympathetic nerve blocks can interrupt the abnormal firing of the sympathetic nerves. A combination of two medications is used in this injection: a local anesthetic and a steroid. The local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief by numbing the area of the injection. The numbing effect will typically wear off in 4–6 hours. The steroid provides pain relief by reducing the inflammation in the area of the injection. The steroid can take 2–10 days to begin working. A series of injections may be needed to provide the desired pain relief.

POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVITY:

     - Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure.
     - Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the rest of the day.
     - Normal activity can be resumed on the following day, unless otherwise instructed by
        your doctor.
     - No heavy lifting for several days after the injection.

DIET:

     - Resume your regular diet.
     - You may experience diarrhea or loose stools after this procedure. If so, drink ample
        fluids to prevent dehydration.

PATIENT COMFORT:

     - Keep the injection site clean and dry.
     - If you have a dressing, it can be removed the following day. You can then shower
     - Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
     - An ice pack can be applied to the injection site once the effect of the local
        anesthetic wears off. The ice pack should be applied for no more than 20 minutes
        at a time

SYMPTOMS TO REPORT:

     - Rash or itching
     - Increasing abdominal pain
     - Nausea
     - Change in bowel or bladder habits

     - Note any side effects such as headache, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs,
        or loss of bladder control. Such side effects are rare, and typically subside within
        24 hours.

     - (Patients with Diabetes) You may experience a worsening of diabetic symptoms
        (excessive thirst, excessive urination, elevated blood sugars). Check your blood
        sugar twice a day for 2 weeks following the injections. Call your physician who is
        managing your diabetes if you experience any increase in symptoms.

If you have any questions or concerns related to your treatment, please contact Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley S.C.