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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Sympathetic Lumbar InjectionForum: Neurology Forum
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Re: Sympathetic Lumbar InjectionPosted by CCF Neuro MD on July 09, 1997 at 21:47:23: In Reply to: Sympathetic Lumbar Injection posted by MRA on June 30, 1997 at 18:46:26:
Hello, MRA, Usually, when we talk about sympathetic injection, most people make a reference to the treatment of chronic pain induced by spinal root compression. This kind of pain is called neuropathic pain. The injection is usually performed by an anesthesiologist. When the injection is epidural (inside spine but outside the hard membrane), steroids or a combination of steorids and analgesic (numbing medicine) is used to treat selected cases of lumbar or thorasic nerve root pain. Root blocks with lidocaine (a common used anesthetic) are helpful at times in establishing the source of root pain. Another way of doing this is to directly inject the drugs into the sympathetic nerve cells that are located beside the spine (ganglia) in the affected area, say lumbar ganglia for leg pain as in your case. Having listed these different ways of doing the injection, we have to realize that the treatment of neuropathic pain is generally difficult, and the effect of such treatment is temporary in most cases. Hope I have answered your question. If you like to have someone take a look at you and offer a face to face consultation, you can do so by visiting a neurologist or a pain specialist. If you happen to be a Cleveland area, or ever come here for a visit, please feel free to stop by at our department. You may call (800) 223-2273 or (216) 444-2200 ask for ext. 45559 to make an appointment. Good luck on your recovery. This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your primary physician for the diagnosis and treatment of your specific medical condition.
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