Are you tired of constant severe pain in your leg or lower back? Sometimes it's hard to find the cause of this pain, isn't it? Today we are going to talk about a special treatment method that doctors use in such cases. This is called Lumbar Sympathetic Block. Although the name is a bit complicated, the relief it provides is worth it.
What is Lumbar Sympathetic Block?
Simply put, this is a special injection of medication into your lower back, which is in the lumbar spine. It temporarily blocks pain signals from going to your legs.
Think of our nervous system as a network of electrical wires. These nerves carry messages from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain. There is a part of this nervous system called the 'autonomic nervous system'. This part controls things that are out of our control, such as breathing, sweating, and blood pressure.
The 'Sympathetic' nerves in the autonomic nervous system sometimes start sending unnecessary pain signals to the brain after an accident. That's when the Lumbar Sympathetic Block temporarily 'silences' those nerves and reduces the pain.
What are the uses of this treatment?
This treatment method is used for three main reasons.
| Purpose of treatment | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Pain relief | It provides temporary relief for acute or chronic pain. This medicine reduces swelling in the nerves and gives them a chance to heal. |
| Identifying the cause of pain | Sometimes it is difficult to find the exact cause of the pain. At that time, the doctor will give this injection. If the pain decreases, it can be confirmed that the problem is in these nerves. If there is no relief, the cause can be found elsewhere. |
| As a painkiller for surgery | This block is given before some surgeries to control the pain that occurs after surgery. |
A doctor may recommend this treatment if you have pain in your lower legs and feet, especially due to the following conditions:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Phantom limb pain
- Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
- Diabetes-related neuropathy
- Postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles)
- Raynaud's disease
- Cancer pain
- Vascular pain
How should you prepare for this?
Actually, this usually doesn't require much special preparation.
However, if the doctor gives you sedation during the procedure, he will tell you to refrain from eating or drinking for about 6-8 hours . He will also ask you to bring someone to take you home that day. Because you will be intoxicated, you will not be able to drive.
The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. If you have any concerns, don't be afraid to ask.
What happens during the procedure?
This is usually done on an outpatient basis, without having to stay in the hospital. This means you can go home shortly after the procedure.
Let's see what usually happens step by step:
1. You will be turned over on your stomach and made to lie down on a special table.
2. You may be given a mild sedative through an IV line in your arm to help you relax.
3. Then, the injection site is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
4. A small injection is given to numb the area. So you won't feel much pain, but you may feel a little discomfort when the needle goes in.
5. Then, the doctor inserts the needle into the appropriate nerve location while observing it with an X-ray.
6. You may also need to inject a special liquid (contrast dye) to make sure it is in the right place.
7. Then, a steroid injection is given to reduce pain and swelling.
All of this takes less than 30 minutes .
What can you expect after the injection?
After the injection, your lower back and leg may feel warm or a little 'different'. The pain will gradually subside. Your leg may feel a little numb and weak, but this will go away as the numbing medicine wears off.
You can eat and take your medicine normally. But don't do any strenuous or strenuous work for 24 hours. Get plenty of rest. You can return to your normal activities the next day.
Are there risks and side effects?
As with any medical treatment, there are potential side effects, but serious complications are rare.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Side Effects | |
| At the injection site | There may be some bruising, swelling, and mild pain. These usually go away within a few days. |
| Less Common Complications | |
| Other effects | Bleeding, dizziness, headache, and temporary numbness or weakness in the leg on the side where the injection was given may occur. |
| Very Rare but Serious Complications | |
| Serious conditions | There are some things that can happen, such as getting an infection, accidentally injecting medication into a blood vessel, damaging the kidneys, or having an allergic reaction to the medication. But these are very rare. |
How long will this relief last?
This really varies from person to person. Some people go a few days without pain, others weeks. The pain may subside immediately after the injection. But that's because the steroid is a numbing medication. Once the steroid starts working, it takes two to three days for long-term relief to begin.
In most cases, to maintain relief, you will need to receive this injection several times. Sometimes two will be enough, sometimes you will need to receive more than 10 injections over time. This will be determined by your doctor.
What time should I see a doctor?
If you develop any new symptoms after the injection, for example, if the injection site is red, swollen, or looks like an infection, if you experience leg pain, extreme tingling, or weakness, call your doctor immediately.
Lumbar Sympathetic Block is a good treatment that brings relief to many people living with pain. However, the results are not the same for everyone. If you have any fears or doubts about this injection, don't hold anything back. Talk openly with your doctor and explain everything.
Take-Home Message
- A Lumbar Sympathetic Block is a special injection given into the lower back. It temporarily blocks pain signals that travel to the legs.
- It is used to treat pain, find the cause of pain, and control pain after some surgeries.
- This process usually takes less than 30 minutes. It is important to rest for 24 hours afterwards.
- Not everyone gets the same results, and the relief you receive may vary from time to time.
- It is very important to talk to your doctor about the treatment or any discomfort that may occur afterwards without fear.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න