Ganglion Impar Block

Treatment

Once in the procedure room, our nursing staff will position you on your stomach on a narrow table. Your back will be cleaned with iodine and sterilely draped. The doctor will numb your skin with a small needle, which will sting just a bit. It is very important to hold still and let us know if we are causing you discomfort. Next, the doctor will use an X-ray machine (fluoroscope) to guide the needle into the correct spot. Local anesthetic and steroid are then injected through the needle.

Your pain may improve immediately after the injection due to the local anesthetic. It is important to keep track of how you feel for the remainder of the day. The steroid usually takes two or three days to have an effect in most people and peaks in about two weeks. It is important that you keep track of the amount of pain relief you receive and how long it lasts, as you will be calling the office to report your results.

Recovery

After the procedure, you will go to the recovery area. You will remain there for 15 to 30 minutes before being discharged home. You may have some local tenderness from the needles, which ice may help relieve.

 Will I have any restrictions after the procedure?

Following your procedure, you are not allowed to drive for the remainder of the day.  Do not go swimming or soak in a tub, pool or Jacuzzi on the day of your procedure. Otherwise, you may resume your other normal activities.