Stellate Ganglion Block

What is a Stellate Ganglion Block Injection?

Stellate Ganglion Block Injection is an injection of local anesthetic in the “sympathetic nerve tissue” – the nerves that are a part of Sympathetic Nervous System. The nerves are located on both sides of the voice box, in the neck. 

What is the purpose of the block?

The injection blocks the Sympathetic Nerves.  This may in turn reduce pain, swelling, color, and sweating changes in the upper extremity and may recover some mobility.  It is used as part of the treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Sympathetic Maintained Pain, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

How long does the injection take?

The block itself  takes only a few minutes.

What medications are used for the injection?

The injection consists of a local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine).  Epinephrine (adrenaline) may be added to extend the effect of the injection.

Does the injection hurt?

The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues. So, there is some discomfort involved.  However, we will numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) before inserting the actual block needle.  Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation and pain medication, which makes the procedure easier to tolerate.

Will I be “put to sleep” for this procedure?

No.  The procedure is done under local anesthesia.  Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation, which makes the procedure easier to tolerate.  The amount of sedation given usually depends upon the patient’s tolerance.

How is the injection done?

The procedure is done with the patient laying flat on their back with a pillow under the shoulder to extend the neck and raise the chin.  All our patients are monitored with EKG, blood pressure cuff and blood oxygen-monitoring device (called a pulse oximeter).  A temperature probe is also placed on your hand.  The skin in the front of the neck and slightly to the side is cleaned with antiseptic solution and then the injection is done.

What should I expect after the injection?

Shortly after the injection, you may feel your arm warming up. The temperature probe will show an increase in the temperature of your arm. And, you may notice that your pain may be much less or gone altogether.  You may also notice droopy and red eye (Horner’s Sign), your voice might be hoarse, and you may have a feeling of  “lump in the throat”, and some nasal congestion on the side of the injection.  You may also develop a headache.

What should I do after the procedure?

You need to have a ride home.  Make sure that you have something to eat or drink within an hour or two after the block.  We advise the patients to take it easy for a day or so after the procedure.  Perform your normal daily activities as tolerated.  Some of the patients may go for physical therapy that day.

When can I go back to work?

Unless there are complications, you should be able to go back to work the next day.  The most common thing you may feel is some soreness in the neck at the injection site. Ice at the injection site will help with the soreness.

How long will the block last?

The local anesthetic will wear off in a few hours.  But, the block of sympathetic nerves may last for much longer. Usually, the length of relief gets longer after each injection. Sometimes, a series of injections is needed to treat the problem. Some may need only a few and some may need up to possibly 10.  The effect of the block varies from patient to patient.

Does the Stellate Ganglion Injection help everyone?

No. It’s very difficult to know if the injection will help or not.  The patients who present early during their illness tend to do better than those who have this treatment after six months or so of symptoms.  Patients in the advanced stages of disease may not have an effective response.

What are the risks and side effects?

This procedure is safe.  But, with any procedure there are risks, side effects, and the possibility of complications.  The most common side effect is pain – which is temporary.  The other risk involves bleeding, infection, spinal block, epidural block, and injection into blood vessels.  Fortunately, the serious side effects and complications are uncommon.

What is a Stellate Ganglion Block Injection?

Stellate Ganglion Block Injection is an injection of local anesthetic in the “sympathetic nerve tissue” – the nerves that are a part of Sympathetic Nervous System. The nerves are located on both sides of the voice box, in the neck. 

What is the purpose of the block?

The injection blocks the Sympathetic Nerves.  This may in turn reduce pain, swelling, color, and sweating changes in the upper extremity and may recover some mobility.  It is used as part of the treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Sympathetic Maintained Pain, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

How long does the injection take?

The block itself  takes only a few minutes.

What medications are used for the injection?

The injection consists of a local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine).  Epinephrine (adrenaline) may be added to extend the effect of the injection.

Does the injection hurt?

The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues. So, there is some discomfort involved.  However, we will numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) before inserting the actual block needle.  Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation and pain medication, which makes the procedure easier to tolerate.

Will I be “put to sleep” for this procedure?

No.  The procedure is done under local anesthesia.  Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation, which makes the procedure easier to tolerate.  The amount of sedation given usually depends upon the patient’s tolerance.

How is the injection done?

The procedure is done with the patient laying flat on their back with a pillow under the shoulder to extend the neck and raise the chin.  All our patients are monitored with EKG, blood pressure cuff and blood oxygen-monitoring device (called a pulse oximeter).  A temperature probe is also placed on your hand.  The skin in the front of the neck and slightly to the side is cleaned with antiseptic solution and then the injection is done.

What should I expect after the injection?

Shortly after the injection, you may feel your arm warming up. The temperature probe will show an increase in the temperature of your arm. And, you may notice that your pain may be much less or gone altogether.  You may also notice droopy and red eye (Horner’s Sign), your voice might be hoarse, and you may have a feeling of  “lump in the throat”, and some nasal congestion on the side of the injection.  You may also develop a headache.

What should I do after the procedure?

You need to have a ride home.  Make sure that you have something to eat or drink within an hour or two after the block.  We advise the patients to take it easy for a day or so after the procedure.  Perform your normal daily activities as tolerated.  Some of the patients may go for physical therapy that day.

When can I go back to work?

Unless there are complications, you should be able to go back to work the next day.  The most common thing you may feel is some soreness in the neck at the injection site. Ice at the injection site will help with the soreness.

How long will the block last?

The local anesthetic will wear off in a few hours.  But, the block of sympathetic nerves may last for much longer. Usually, the length of relief gets longer after each injection. Sometimes, a series of injections is needed to treat the problem. Some may need only a few and some may need up to possibly 10.  The effect of the block varies from patient to patient.

Does the Stellate Ganglion Injection help everyone?

No. It’s very difficult to know if the injection will help or not.  The patients who present early during their illness tend to do better than those who have this treatment after six months or so of symptoms.  Patients in the advanced stages of disease may not have an effective response.

What are the risks and side effects?

This procedure is safe.  But, with any procedure there are risks, side effects, and the possibility of complications.  The most common side effect is pain – which is temporary.  The other risk involves bleeding, infection, spinal block, epidural block, and injection into blood vessels.  Fortunately, the serious side effects and complications are uncommon.

What is a Stellate Ganglion Block Injection?

Stellate Ganglion Block Injection is an injection of local anesthetic in the “sympathetic nerve tissue” – the nerves that are a part of Sympathetic Nervous System. The nerves are located on both sides of the voice box, in the neck. 

What is the purpose of the block?

The injection blocks the Sympathetic Nerves.  This may in turn reduce pain, swelling, color, and sweating changes in the upper extremity and may recover some mobility.  It is used as part of the treatment of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Sympathetic Maintained Pain, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

How long does the injection take?

The block itself  takes only a few minutes.

What medications are used for the injection?

The injection consists of a local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine).  Epinephrine (adrenaline) may be added to extend the effect of the injection.

Does the injection hurt?

The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues. So, there is some discomfort involved.  However, we will numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) before inserting the actual block needle.  Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation and pain medication, which makes the procedure easier to tolerate.

Will I be “put to sleep” for this procedure?

No.  The procedure is done under local anesthesia.  Most of the patients also receive intravenous sedation, which makes the procedure easier to tolerate.  The amount of sedation given usually depends upon the patient’s tolerance.

How is the injection done?

The procedure is done with the patient laying flat on their back with a pillow under the shoulder to extend the neck and raise the chin.  All our patients are monitored with EKG, blood pressure cuff and blood oxygen-monitoring device (called a pulse oximeter).  A temperature probe is also placed on your hand.  The skin in the front of the neck and slightly to the side is cleaned with antiseptic solution and then the injection is done.

What should I expect after the injection?

Shortly after the injection, you may feel your arm warming up. The temperature probe will show an increase in the temperature of your arm. And, you may notice that your pain may be much less or gone altogether.  You may also notice droopy and red eye (Horner’s Sign), your voice might be hoarse, and you may have a feeling of  “lump in the throat”, and some nasal congestion on the side of the injection.  You may also develop a headache.

What should I do after the procedure?

You need to have a ride home.  Make sure that you have something to eat or drink within an hour or two after the block.  We advise the patients to take it easy for a day or so after the procedure.  Perform your normal daily activities as tolerated.  Some of the patients may go for physical therapy that day.

When can I go back to work?

Unless there are complications, you should be able to go back to work the next day.  The most common thing you may feel is some soreness in the neck at the injection site. Ice at the injection site will help with the soreness.

How long will the block last?

The local anesthetic will wear off in a few hours.  But, the block of sympathetic nerves may last for much longer. Usually, the length of relief gets longer after each injection. Sometimes, a series of injections is needed to treat the problem. Some may need only a few and some may need up to possibly 10.  The effect of the block varies from patient to patient.

Does the Stellate Ganglion Injection help everyone?

No. It’s very difficult to know if the injection will help or not.  The patients who present early during their illness tend to do better than those who have this treatment after six months or so of symptoms.  Patients in the advanced stages of disease may not have an effective response.

What are the risks and side effects?

This procedure is safe.  But, with any procedure there are risks, side effects, and the possibility of complications.  The most common side effect is pain – which is temporary.  The other risk involves bleeding, infection, spinal block, epidural block, and injection into blood vessels.  Fortunately, the serious side effects and complications are uncommon.

Who should not have this injection?

If you are allergic to any of the medications to be injected, or if you are on a blood thinning medication (i.e. Coumadin, Plavix, daily aspirin, or aspirin containing medications), or if you have an active infection going on, you should not have the injection.  Be aware that herbs Ginsing, Garlic and Gingko Baloba and Vitamin E are blood thinning.

 *DO NOT STOP ANY OF YOUR MEDICATIONS BEFORE CONSULTING WITH YOUR DOCTOR*

If you are allergic to any of the medications to be injected, or if you are on a blood thinning medication (i.e. Coumadin, Plavix, daily aspirin, or aspirin containing medications), or if you have an active infection going on, you should not have the injection.  Be aware that herbs Ginsing, Garlic and Gingko Baloba and Vitamin E are blood thinning.

 *DO NOT STOP ANY OF YOUR MEDICATIONS BEFORE CONSULTING WITH YOUR DOCTOR*

If you are allergic to any of the medications to be injected, or if you are on a blood thinning medication (i.e. Coumadin, Plavix, daily aspirin, or aspirin containing medications), or if you have an active infection going on, you should not have the injection.  Be aware that herbs Ginsing, Garlic and Gingko Baloba and Vitamin E are blood thinning.

*DO NOT STOP ANY OF YOUR MEDICATIONS BEFORE CONSULTING WITH YOUR DOCTOR*