Orthopaedic Services and Procedures

NON-OPERATIVE PROCEDURES

• Stellate Ganglion Block

A block that is performed under fluoroscopy to determine if there is damage to the sympathetic nerve chain and if it is the source of the patient’s arm pain. This is primarily a diagnostic block but it may provide pain relief in excess of the duration of the anesthetic. A local skin anesthetic is given near the base of the neck on the affected side. A needle is inserted by the anesthesiologist near the transverse process of the cervical spine (usually at the cervical-6 level). A sterile tubing is attached to the needle and anesthetic medication is slowly injected through the tubing.