Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block: Your Experience

A stellate ganglion nerve block is done to figure out the cause pain in your neck and upper body. During the test, medication is injected near your spine. This “blocks” the stellate ganglion nerves. If these nerves are causing your problem, the injection will relieve your symptoms for hours to days or longer.  This injection is used both to help diagnose, and to treat, certain nerve problems including chronic pain.

The injection is done in a hospital, pain center, or your provider's office and takes about 30 minutes.

Getting ready for your block

• At least a week before the block, tell your provider what medicines you take (including aspirin). Ask whether you should stop taking any of them before treatment.

• Tell your provider if you are pregnant or allergic to any medicines.

• Stop eating or drinking 6 hours before you check in for your block.

• If asked, bring X-rays, MRIs, or other tests with you on the day of the block.

• Have someone with you who can drive you home.  You will not be able to drive home after the procedure.

During the procedure

To help you relax, your health care provider may give you medicine through an IV line. You will lie on an exam table on your back.  During your block:

• The skin over the injection site is cleaned. A pain medicine (local anesthetic) numbs the skin.

• X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) or ultrasound will be used to help your doctor see where the medicine goes. A contrast “dye” may be added to the medicine to help get a better image.

• Your provider injects a local anesthetic near the ganglion (cluster of nerves) to numb your nerves. If the sympathetic nerves are causing your problem, the temperature in your neck and arms will rise quickly. The block will relieve your symptoms for a while. Sympathetic nerve blocks may give long-term relief from symptoms. For this treatment, a few blocks are given 1 to 2 weeks apart.

Reasons your procedure can be cancelled

You may be asked to reschedule your appointment if:

• you are bleeding or have bleeding problems

• if there is an infection at the injection site

• if you have fever, the flu, a cold, or other infections

• if you are pregnant

• if you are on antibiotics

• if you ate or drank something before your procedure

• if you do not have someone to drive you home

• if you had recent neck surgery

• if you did not stop taking omega 3 supplements, Vitamin E, or fish oil 7 days before the procedure

After the procedure

You will go to a recovery room on a stretcher. You will stay in the recovery room for about 30 minutes. The health care team will check your blood pressure and pulse. You will be asked to describe any changes in your pain before you leave.

After you leave:

• Take it easy for the rest of the day. You can return to your normal activities the day after the procedure.

• The injection may cause the eyelid on that side of your face to droop a little and you may have redness in the eye. Your voice may also be hoarse.  You may feel like you have a lump in your throat or have trouble swallowing.  You may have a warm feeling or tingling in your hand.   These things are normal and will go away in about 8 hours when the anesthetic wears off.

• The injection sites may be sore for a day or so. Put ice or heat on the treated sites as instructed by your health care provider.

When to call your health care provider

Call your provider if you have increased pain, a fever over 100.4°F (38°C), chills, or drainage at the treated site.