After Lumbar Sympathetic Block

You had a lumbar sympathetic block.  Your health care provider injected a small amount of anesthetic around a group of nerves in your lower back.  As you recover, follow the instructions below.

Activity

• Do not drive or operate heavy equipment.  You will need someone else to drive you home.

• Take it easy the rest of the day.  Avoid lifting heavy objects, pulling and pushing activities.

• You may return to normal activity tomorrow.

Home Care

• It is normal to have a warm feeling or tingling in your legs or feet.  This can last up to 6 hours after the procedure.

• It is normal to feel dizzy.  If you are dizzy, lie down for 10 minutes.  Gradually sit up for 10 minutes, then stand up.

• It is normal to have pain or tenderness at the injection site. You can use ice today to help ease the discomfort.  If the pain continues tomorrow, you can use ice or moist heat to relieve the pain. Follow these instructions:

  • Apply ice or moist heat to the injection site for 20 minutes

  • Remove the ice or moist heat for 20 minutes

  • Repeat this process as needed

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Severe back pain or leg weakness that lasts more than 12 hours

Call your provider if you have signs of an infection:

• Fever above 100.4°F (38.0°C)

• Chills

• Increasing redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site

• Drainage from the injection