Hi Jim, My PM doc had me do a series of blocks when I started treatment with him. I have had RSD for over 6 years, and was not diagnosed until very late. My first PM doc would only use drugs for treatment. After she got frustrated at my lack of progress, she told me that if I did not respond soon, she would put me at MMI. By then I had done some other research and learned that there were other treatment options available so I found a new doc. I did get relief for very brief periods of time following he blocks. The first one I had some complications with, so I wasn't able to realize the full effect of the block, but for a little bit of time, I felt like a puppy!
More important was the information that the doc got from these blocks. He told me that since they did work for a very brief time, he knew that it was very possible that I would be a good canidate for a SCS, and that there was still room for improvement. He is very frustrated with dealing with WC on this but continues to advocate for me so that I can do a trial with this device. I wish your wife luck if she decides to go through with this procedure. I had concious sedation while I was having them done which helped a lot with my nervousness. Lisa