A West Michigan Health Company
Big Rapids (231) 592-3102
A West Michigan Health Company
Big Rapids (231) 592-3102
A West Michigan
Health Company
Big Rapids (231) 592-1361

Stellate Ganglion Block

Pain Relief Option for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and PTSD

West Michigan Surgery Center specialists offer Stellate Ganglion Block injections for their patients. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is used for the treatment of many medical conditions including complex regional pain syndrome, anxiety, depression and PTSD. 

Roman Zolotoy, DO“Stellate Ganglion Block is a safe, well tolerated procedure that we use for our patients,” says West Michigan Surgery Center specialist Roman Zolotoy, DO. “It’s been around for about half a decade for Complex Regional Pain, which is a disproportionate amount of pain and injury after a traumatic event. Unfortunately, some patients can develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome without any significant trauma, so we use SGB to block that painful cycle that results in the extremity that is involved.”

West Michigan Surgery Center specialists administer the block by targeting the sympathetic nerves found near the bottom part of the neck on either side of the neck. The procedure takes just minutes. WMSC specialists take every precaution to safely locate the targeted area.

“Even though there are a lot of nerves and vasculature in that area, the way we position the patients and use our imaging guidance, it  is a very safe procedure,” says Dr. Zolotoy. 

The procedure can be performed using ultrasound or fluoroscopy, x-ray guidance. 

“We hope each Stellate Ganglion Block offers months of relief, but every patient is different,” says Dr. Zolotoy. “In the beginning, we may need to repeat the procedure monthly. What we are hoping for is at least 50% improvement in their discomfort which will allow them to move their joints better and allow them to participate in physical therapy to a greater extent.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, SGB is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Complex regional pain syndrome of the head and upper limbs
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Upper extremity embolism
  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Chronic post-surgical pain
  • Hyperhidrosis
  • Raynaud disease 
  • Scleroderma
  • Orofacial pain
  • Phantom limb
  • Atypical chest pain
  • A cluster or a vascular headache 
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Meniere syndrome
  • Intractable angina
  • Refractory cardiac arrhythmias

Learn more about the procedure and what it entails from WMSC’s Roman Zolotoy, DO, in this video.

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