WHAT IS IT?
The lumbar sympathetic nerve chain is a grouping of nerves on the front side of the vertebral column that perform autonomic nervous system functions. A blockade of these nerves can help diagnose and treat pain. To see if the lumbar sympathetic nerve chain is responsible for the pain, an injection is done on the lower back in a region called the upper lumbar. The injection is done on the same side that the patient has pain, and even though the injection goes into the back it is usually done for leg pain.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This injection can be used for people with a condition known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
There is some risk of bleeding, infection, nerve damage and hematuria (blood in the urine).