A study of the efficacy of stellate ganglion blocks in complex regional pain syndromes of the upper body

Abstract

Background and Aims: The effect of stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) was examined in complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) of the upper body. Material and Methods: A total of 287 SGB were given to patients with documented CRPS on medications. Spontaneous and provoked pain assessment was done with numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and range of motion (ROM) was recorded before and after each blockade. Difference between a 15-point “global rating of change” scale determined the minimal clinically important difference of the DASH score. Results: The overall mean pain reduction was 73.2% (r = 0.83, P 3 NPRS points from the baseline for both spontaneous and provoked pain with a decrease in mean DASH score and improvement in ROM.

Keywords

• Complex regional pain syndromes
• stellate ganglion blocks
• upper limb