Sympathetic Nerve Block

Certain painful conditions called Chronic Regional pain Syndromes (or, reflex sympathetic dystrophy) occur because of the abnormal function of specialized nerves called the sympathetic nerves. Proper diagnosis of this condition requires that these nerves be "blocked" with local anesthetic medication. Often, therapy will be prescribed to occur while the nerves are blocked or anesthetized. The sympathetic nerves for the head, neck, and upper extremity are located in a structure in the neck called the stellate ganglion. The sympathetic nerves to the lower extremity are located just in front of the vertebra. The results of these nerve blocks will guide further therapy.

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