的 sympathetic nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body's functions that we don't need to think about, 比如血压, 消化和心率. 的y also help us respond to "fight or flight" situations. Sympathetic nerves do not normally send pain messages to the brain but may become "switched on" for an unknown cause or due to a condition such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), 也称为反射性交感神经营养不良(RSD).
神经阻断
A sympathetic nerve block involves injecting local anesthetic around a junction or "crossroads" where many nerves meet. 的 goal is to decrease or eliminate pain by reducing the pain signals sent to the brain.
Your doctor might suggest a nerve block if other treatments, 比如消炎药, 休息和物理治疗, 是不成功的. Your doctor may also use nerve blocks as a diagnostic tool to determine whether your pain is actually coming from the sympathetic nervous system.
如果你在神经阻滞后感到疼痛缓解, your doctor may recommend additional nerve blocks or other forms of pain therapy to target the sympathetic nerves.
的re are various sympathetic nerves located in different parts of the body, 哪些会引起脸部疼痛, 脖子, 武器, 胸部, 下背, 腿和脚. 的 UCSF疼痛医学中心 提供以下类型的神经阻滞:
- 交感神经节阻滞
- 星状神经节阻滞
- 腰椎交感神经阻滞
准备
在神经阻滞之前, your doctor will give you specific instructions for preparing for the procedure. 的se will depend on your condition, current state of health and any medications you are taking.
手术前一周:
停止服用阿司匹林. If you take aspirin for your heart or blood vessels as prescribed by your doctor, please get written permission from your doctor to stop and bring that note to your procedure.
If you take Plavix (clopidogrel), you will need to stop taking it. Again, you will need verbal and written permission from your doctor to stop taking Plavix. 请把这张纸条带到你的诊室.
手术前三天:
Stop taking herbal medicines and supplements, fish oil and Vitamin E.
手术前24小时:
停止服用消炎药, 比如Advil, 布洛芬, etodolac, 吲哚美辛, 甲氧萘丙酸, 都属, 费啶, 双氯芬酸, Mobic, 和吡罗昔康. 你不需要停止服用西乐葆. If you are unsure about any of your medicines, ask your doctor. Call your doctor if you take blood thinners such as heparin or Coumadin (warfarin).
手术日期:
Please arrange to have someone drive you home after the nerve block, as you will not be able to drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
You must be healthy on the day of your nerve block. 你必须:
- 避免感染，不要服用抗生素
- 没有感冒或流感症状
- 不要出疹子
- 发烧不要超过100度.4° F
- 没有任何局部感染或皮肤损伤
If you are feeling sick or have a cold, call us as soon as possible.
过程
During the procedure, you will lie on an X-ray table. You will have an intravenous (IV) line in your arm so that, 如果需要, 我们可以给你开些药来帮助你放松.
的 skin around the injection site will be cleaned and the area numbed with an anesthetic. 的 doctor will then use X-ray guidance to direct a needle to the targeted area and slowly inject anesthetic.
整个过程大约需要30分钟.
复苏
的 degree of pain relief you experience will depend in part on whether your pain is actually caused by the sympathetic nerves. In the week after your procedure, it is helpful to keep a "pain diary" to share with your doctor.
恢复你的常规药物, but please limit your use of pain medications the day of the procedure. This will make it easier to determine whether the nerve block was effective.
You may experience some mild pain around the injection site, which can be treated with ice. You may also experience a sensation of warmth in the targeted area for several hours after the procedure. 这将自行解决.
在接受注射的一侧脸上, you may experience symptoms such as smaller pupil size, 无精打采，少出汗. 你也可能有一个沙哑的声音. 的se symptoms resolve on their own and are not cause for worry.
On the day of the injection, you should avoid driving and all strenuous activities. On the day after the procedure, you may return to your regular daily activities. 如果你的疼痛有所改善, you may gradually resume regular exercise and more strenuous activities, increasing their frequency over one to two weeks to avoid recurrence of your pain.
加州大学旧金山分校健康 medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
