Originally Posted by fmichael

Pete -

I agree that the data is sparce, but the is evidence that patients starting blocks within a few weeks of the onset of CRPS had significant relief lasting two weeks after the last injection. "Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Blockade for the Management of Type 1 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome," Ackerman WE, Zhang JM, South Med J. 2006; 99:1 084-1088 at 1087, free full text at http://www.rsds.org/2/library/articl...lion_block.pdf

Patients who had early SGB treatment following
the onset of their symptoms had significantly better
pain relief following SGB therapy (r = 0.9).

This is consistant with studies strongly suggesting that low dose ketamine can have lasting effects, if and only if initiated within a few weeks of the advent of symptoms. For a good comparision of the results of several studies, see the "Discussion" section of "A Pilot Open-Label Study of the Efficacy of Subanesthetic Isometric S(+)-Ketamine in Refractory CRPS Patients," Kiefer RT, Rohr P, Ploppa A, et al, Pain Med. 2008; 9(1):44-54, 50- 53, free full text at http://www.rsds.org/2/library/articl...ohr_Ploppa.pdf. And for anyone who doubts that proposition, read one of the greatest studies ever published, "Subanesthetic Ketamine Infusion Therapy: A Retrospective Analysis of a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome," Correll GE, Maleki J, Gracely EJ, Muir JJ, Harbut RE, Pain Med. 2004; 5:263-275, free full text at http://www.rsds.org/2/library/articl...V_Ketamine.pdf.

Something significant is clearly going on here.

Makes one want to have the level of care that I understand is available in Germany, where local anesthetic is pumped for some time into the affected area, immediately upon the advent of symptoms.

Mike