What is a sympathetic nerve block?

A reader in Garfield who has been offered a sympathetic nerve block usually wants two things: a plain description of what it is, and a way to judge the price before anyone quotes one.

Where the block is aimed

A sympathetic nerve block is an injection aimed at the sympathetic nerves. Cleveland Clinic describes the lumbar sympathetic nerve block this way: your sympathetic nerves are on both sides of your spine in your lower back. The word "lumbar" names the location, which tells you the same kind of block can be named for other regions too.

Questions to put to the clinician

The purpose, risks and results are for the clinician who recommends the block to explain. If a block has been recommended to you, the reason belongs in your own record, and you are entitled to hear it in plain words.

Any price you hear for a nerve block is a number to trace back to its source, so ask who produced it and what it covers.

Questions that separate a ballpark from a quote

Ask which region is being treated, what the procedure is meant to change, and what is billed on the day: the procedure, the facility, imaging and any follow-up. A ballpark covers a range of those items. A quote names the ones that apply to you.

For general background, see Cleveland Clinic on cortisone shots, MedlinePlus on pain, Cleveland Clinic's pain management overview and WebMD's pain management center.

Before you ask about the price

Get the location and the reason in writing before you ask about the price. A procedure you cannot describe is a procedure you cannot compare. Pricing notes like these are not medical advice.