Use of Stellate Ganglion Local Anesthetic Blockade for Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-II of the Upper Extremity: A Case Report of One Patient’s Experience after Traumatic Hand Injury

Abstract

Background: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain syndrome associated with edema, muscle weakness, and hyperhidrosis. It can be precipitated by fracture, surgery, and spinal cord injury and usually involves the ipsilateral and sometimes contralateral extremity. Case Details: A 47-year-old male with CRPS Type-II involving the upper extremity had severe neuropathic pain that was limiting his ADLs despite medical, physical and occupational therapy. This case discusses the use of stellate ganglion block in the treatment of upper extremity CRPS Type-II. Conclusion: Stellate ganglion blockade is an effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of CRPS Type-II when conservative therapy has failed to provide improvement in pain, highlighting a need for a multimodal therapeutic strategy. Keywords: Stellate ganglion block; Chronic pain; Complex regional pain syndrome type-II; Bupivacaine