Patient Instructions - Sympathetic Nerve Block

A sympathetic nerve block involves injecting medicine around the sympathetic nerves to either temporarily or permanently reduce or eliminate pain.

Before your Procedure

• Some medications may increase the risk of bleeding after your procedure. Please check with your doctor about possibly holding medications such as aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), Ticlid, Pletal, Aggrenox, Plavix and NSAIDS, such as naproxen and ibuprofen before your procedure. Please hold these medications as directed. You may resume these medications the day after your procedure.

During your Procedure

• Your skin will be cleaned and then numbed with medicine.

• The doctor directs a small needle, using X-ray guidance to the area of the sympathetic nerves.

• Medication is then injected into the area.

After your Procedure

• You will remain in the Imaging department to be watched and reassessed by the nurse for 30 minutes before leaving.

• Rest for the remainder of the day.

• You may resume your normal activity the next day. Notify your doctor if you have any signs of infection at the injection site such as redness, drainage, tenderness or if you run a fever.

• Your doctor will be contacted with the results of your test and will discuss the results with you.

Providing safe, quality patient care is our highest priority. To help ensure quality and safety, we ask that you do not bring young children with you to your appointments, as children are not allowed to accompany you during Imaging procedures. Staff is unable to monitor your child in your absence.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your provider.