WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about a sympathetic nerve block? A sympathetic nerve block is an injection of anesthesia medicine around nerves near your spine. You may need a sympathetic nerve block to locate an area of pain or to relieve nerve pain. It may be used to help your healthcare provider guide your treatment. You may need a series of injections if your pain or condition improves after the first. If you have a clotting disorder, you may not be able to receive a nerve block. How do I prepare for a sympathetic nerve block? Tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family has ever had problems with anesthesia. You may need to arrange to have someone drive you home after you have the nerve block. Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your nerve block. Tell him about all medicines you are taking, including vitamins and herbs. He will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your nerve block. You may need to stop taking certain medicines several days before your nerve block. What will happen during a sympathetic nerve block? Your healthcare provider will ask you to rate your symptoms before the procedure. You will remain awake and alert during the procedure so that you can answer questions. Your healthcare provider will find the area of the nerve group to be treated. He may use fluoroscopy (an x-ray that produces moving images), CT scans, or an ultrasound. He will inject the anesthesia into the nerve group area. He will again ask you to rate your symptoms. He will also ask you to keep a record of your symptoms and activities. He will also ask you to write down when your symptoms return. What will happen after a sympathetic nerve block? You may be able to go home after feeling returns in the numbed area. Your healthcare provider may tell you to rest the day after the nerve block and then return to your normal activities. What are the risks of a sympathetic nerve block? You may have an allergic reaction, numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking. Your blood pressure may get too high or too low. You may have anxiety, dizziness, or seizures if the anesthesia gets into your blood vessels. You may have bleeding, or a blood clot may form if the needle goes into a blood vessel. The needle may also go into other parts of your body and cause damage. If the needle goes into a nerve, you may feel burning, tingling, prickling, or severe pain. |