Ganglion Impar Block
Are you experiencing tailbone or pelvic pain? The ganglion impar is a collection of nerves near the coccyx that send pain signals to the spinal cord and brain. There are many conditions in the genital and rectal area that can cause discomfort and pain, as well as in the coccyx region. A ganglion impar block injection can be effective in relieving pain in the pelvic area. At DOCS Health, we offer nerve block injections at our medical center in Los Angeles, CA.
It is not always possible or safe to address the cause of chronic pain. There are conditions that can cause anorectal, genital or perineal pain that are difficult to control through other pain management options. Interventional pain treatment uses techniques to either stop pain at the source or interrupt the pain response as close as possible to the source. A ganglion impar block injection can be the least invasive option to reduce or eliminate pelvic pain.
Chronic Pelvic Pain Relief
If you have chronic tailbone, rectum, genital or anus pain in or around the pelvic area, a ganglion impar block injection may provide relief. The injection may use a steroid, anesthetic or both to stop pain signals and identify the pain source. The injection is performed as an outpatient procedure, but patients may need an adult to bring them to and from their treatment. The procedure may take less than an hour and patients should have minimal downtime from their injection.
During the procedure, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic. The patient lies on their stomach while the exact position for the injection is identified. Fluoroscopic guidance is used to insert the small needle to the correct area near the ganglion impar nerve complex near the coccyx. The medication is delivered to the area to provide a nerve block. If anesthetic is used, the patient may experience immediate pain relief, which can also identify the source of the pain. Steroid medication requires a few days to take effect as a nerve block agent.
To learn more about ganglion impar block injections and whether they may relieve your chronic pelvic pain, contact us at DOCS Health in Beverly Hills to schedule your pain management consultation.