Superior Hypogastric Plexus Blocks For Pelvic Pain Management
Pelvic pain can be very disabling and painful to patients. Treatment options are limited, especially if surgery has been performed with residual pelvic pain. Physical therapy may provide some relief along with pain medications. Unfortunately this may not give adequate pain relief. Pain management doctors can help lots ot patients with pelvic pain by administering an interventional pain injection.
A superior hypogastric plexus block involves the administration of a dose of pain killing medication near the region of the nerve collection in front of the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebral bodies. The hypogastric plexus block typically involves a series of several injections, repeated at weekly or bi-weekly intervals.
Who Will Benefit From The Injection?
This treatment has brought relief to many patients who suffer from pain located in the pelvic structures, to include pain located in the region of the bladder, lower intestines, as well as the uterus, and ovaries in women, and the prostate and testicles in men.
Does it Work?
A hypogastric plexus block is a short, minimally invasive procedure that can be extremely effective. Pain Management Doctors perform the injections in an outpatient setting with appropriate anesthesia and fluoroscopy. The benefits of a superior hypogastric plexus block can be temporary for some people and the amount and duration of pain relief vary from person to person. Some tend to have relief for weeks where others can benefit from the block for years. Fortunately, the procedure is a low risk, nonsurgical treatment that if successful the first time, will most likely continue to provide pain relief with repeat treatments.
What’s the Bottom Line?
The Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block can effectively treat pelvic pain that does not respond to other medications or conservative treatments. Make sure your pain doctor has considerable expertise in these blocks as the needle ends up being placed in a potentially delicate area.
