My crps was diagnosed 7 months from the date of my injury.It started in my left ankle, spread up my leg and into my right leg. At 8 months I had my first lumbar block. It helped for 2 weeks. It took the pain away in my right leg but not in my left. The leg that was injured. A month later I had another block and it did not work at all. The doctor wants to do another block even though the second one didn't work. I was told by a woman who has rsd not to have the third block since the second one did not work. Has anyone else experienced this situation or knows about this. I know that I am rambling. Sorry!!!!
Eileen

I'm not sure about lumbar blocks - but my husband has 26 sympathetic blocks and I believe (jmo) but I believe by having these blocks it helped prevent the rsd from spreading into his other leg....

They are sympathetic blocks. Did they help your husband every time.
Thanks,
Eileen

Hi.

I was dx with CRPS following ACL reconstruction surgery on my left knee. I had a series of 8 lumbar blocks (every 2 weeks). The blocks didn't help much with pain and were stopped after a few months. My understanding from my PM was that they are also used as a diagnostic indicator of CRPS and that a minimum series of 3 is normal routine. If you're unsure about continuing you should bring this up during your next visit. Also, I'm not sure what kind of physio you're in right now but I wanted to share with you that pool therapy was the only thing that helped with my leg functionally.

All the best!

My doc said not to do more if the first didnt work...so i didnt

Deb

I had a series of 3 sympathetic lumbar nerve blocks.... From 1 to 2 to 3, each one improved my condition!!! I have been in remission with my RSD since the beginning of Jan, 07 and am feel fantastic!! Im a firm believer in having the blocks done... Im aware that they dont work on everyone though...

-Heidi

Hi, I also was blessed with RSD after a 5 level lumbar laminectomy. I had 3 series of 6 lumbar blocks that didnt help. In fact I couldnt even walk after them. How is it a diagnostic indicator? What does it mean if they dont work?

This is a good link to help explain both lumbar and stellate ganglion blocks.
http://www.painandwellness.com/spina...ic_blocks.html

Miss Irie

I had 3 SGB's for RSD and they all helped. I was suppose to have 15 more but I had a problem with the 3rd so we quit. I also had 2 blocks before my shoulder and elbow surgery before I went into the operating room to block the RSD and they worked.

I think different Drs. have different ideals on blocks and how many to give. I have never had one for my lower half and I have been thinking about it if the triggerpoint injections don't do the trick for me.

I have an Anesteologist that does my blocks and I believe they are better then the PM DRS. from what I have seen around here.

I swear by them. I have seen 4 other people in my area get them and they helped them. I've told the story many a time where this one girl that has had RSD for over 30 years went to get blocks because i hounded her until she did and she said she felt better then she'd ever felt. Some Drs. say you have to have them within the first 6 months. If that were the case why do they give them before surgeries.


The more blocks you have the more meds you are getting into your system also to help calm the pain and symptoms down.

Ada