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Stellate Ganglion Block for CRPS

Cervicothoracic sympathetic blockade as part of a multidisciplinary plan for upper-extremity complex regional pain syndrome

Stellate ganglion block is a regional option within a multidisciplinary plan for upper-extremity CRPS; neuropathic pain responds less well to opioid escalation, and interventional treatment requires interdisciplinary consensus.

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Headline: stellate ganglion block is part of a multidisciplinary CRPS plan, not a stand-alone cure.

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Do not treat stellate ganglion block as a stand-alone cure or use this study card as a procedural manual. The indication, technique, imaging, injectate, monitoring, and risk assessment are determined by an appropriately trained proceduralist using current specialty and institutional guidance.

Key numbers

  • Neuropathic pain may require higher opioid doses than nociceptive pain when opioids are used (qualitative, Ch 22).
  • Systemic lidocaine can abolish aberrant neuropathic firing (Ch 25).
  • SCS in CRPS: selected patients may benefit, but controlled trials are needed (Ch 47).
Reviewed Oct 8, 2026 for clinical accuracy by BoardsBridge Editorial Process

Uri Rozen, MD — Licensed Physician, Israel

Source guidelines: Millers Anesthesia 10 Ch74 Regional Anesthesia IN Children · Millers Anesthesia 10 Ch47 Management OF THE Patient With Chronic Pain · Millers Anesthesia 10 Ch25 Local Anesthetics · Millers Anesthesia 10 Ch22 Opioids

Re-review cadence: 12 months from reviewed date.

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Related on BoardsBridge

Card ID: crps-stellate · Path: aba.pain.chronic-non-cancer.crps-stellate

Educational reference only. Reviewed for clinical accuracy against current authoritative guidelines. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. See editorial process and the sitemap entry for this card.