5 Signs You May Need a Ganglion Impar Block

Experiencing chronic pelvic, groin, or rectal pain can make the most basic everyday tasks seem insurmountable. Worse yet, this type of pain can be very complex and difficult to treat. While there are a variety of different potential options, a ganglion impar block is a good option for people seeking relief from chronic pelvic, groin, or rectal pain.

The pain specialists at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery know how difficult it can be to have to deal with chronic pain. No matter what your diagnosis is, chances are that the signs of needing treatment like a ganglion impar block are probably there. Here’s what you should know.

5 Signs You May Need a Ganglion Impar Block

The ganglion impar sits in front of the sacrum, the bony triangle located at the base of your spine.  In this area where multiple nerves come together, they send all kinds of signals to the brain, including pain signals and other sensory information.  A ganglion impar block is a common procedure where an injection eases that pain by blocking those nerve signals. Obviously, chronic pain in the area is a major sign that you could need a ganglion impar block, but there are a number of other indicators as well.

You Have Pain in Your Tailbone

The most common symptom of ganglion impar pain is pain in the tailbone area.  Because the ganglion impar is a bundle of nerve cells in front of the tailbone—medically known as the coccyx—joint, the excessive activity of these nerve cells can cause chronic tailbone pain. The procedure often resets the nerves back into their normal state, thus treating the cause of the pain. Furthermore, the injection may be performed once or multiple times if needed.

You Are Suffering From Cancer

Ganglion impar blocks are commonly used on cancer patients to alleviate the pain it causes in that area of the body. It is especially common for patients with the following types of cancer:

• Vaginal or vulvar cancer
• Scrotal cancer
• Rectal or anal cancer
• Bladder cancer

Research has shown that ganglion impar can be beneficial for pain related to these medical conditions, especially for pain in the anus, urethra, perineum, vulva or rectum.

You Are Experiencing a Burning Sensation in Your Perineal Area

There are several common symptoms of pain that occur in the perineal area in both men and women. Among the most common is a burning sensation in the perineum as well as lower abdominal pain. This is simply the body’s response to the discomfort that the pain is causing in the area. If you are experiencing a burning sensation in your perineal area, you may be a good candidate for a ganglion impar block procedure.

Other Treatments Have Failed to Alleviate Your Pain

Again, chronic pain anywhere on the body is a frustrating and often debilitating experience.  When you are unable to find relief through various forms of treatment, it can make you feel hopeless. When you suffer from pain in the ganglion impar area that was unable to be resolved with medications, physical therapy and other conservative therapies, this procedure may be an option for you.

The block has the added benefit of being potentially diagnostic, as your provider can inject a numbing medicine in the area to see if your pain lessens. This could potentially pinpoint the source of pain.

You Are Looking for Long-Term Relief

Every patient responds to a ganglion impar block differently. However, studies have shown that repeated ganglion impar blocks have resulted in both short-term pain relief as well as a lessening of pain symptoms in the long-term. The overall goal of a ganglion impar block is to reduce pain, so while it may take repeated treatments, if your body responds positively to the block, it should be considered a win.

Pain Specialists Serving Florida and Surrounding Areas at OLSS

At Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery, we are well aware that every patient and condition is unique. If you are suffering from chronic pain in the pelvic region, our medical team can take your specific symptoms and tailor a plan for you. This could mean you are a good candidate for a ganglion impar block. If you would like to learn more, schedule an appointment with our spine doctor through our contact form or call our office at (855) 853-6542.