Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of stellate ganglion block for the patients with cervical Herniated Intervertebral Disc (HIVD). Method Forty patients with cervical HIVD were selected for the study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1, stellate ganglion block of 1% lidocaine and physical modalities (n=20); Group 2, only physical modalities as a control group (n=20). Group 1 patients were treated with the stellate ganglion block of 1% lidocaine three times over two-week period. The efficacy of stellate ganglion block was assessed with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on pre- and post-stellate ganglion blocks and with Rubin scale (success rate).
Results The VAS scores of post-block were significantly lower than pre-score (p<0.05) in both groups, but there was no statistically significance between the two groups. After treatment, Rubin scale was with excellent or good in 75% in group 1 and in 50% in group 2, but there was no statistically significance.
Conclusion The stellate ganglion block may be effective therapeutic method for patient with cervical HIVD. But the efficacy of additional stellate ganglion block for cervical HIVD remains controversial. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 567-570)
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