A joint block is an injection of a pain-reliever and steroid into a joint. Examples are facet blocks and sacroiliac blocks. In the facet block, drugs are injected into a joint in the spine to relieve neck or back pain. In the sacroiliac block, drugs are injected into a joint in the hip to relieve leg pain.
A lumbar sympathetic block is used to relieve leg pain caused by complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPS can develop after an injury, stroke, heart attack, or surgery. The injection is placed on the side of the spine. Some people have a sore back after this is done.
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