SGB for Long COVID
What is Long COVID?
Individuals who get coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recover within a few weeks. But some might have symptoms that last a long time afterward. These ongoing clinical symptoms are sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome, post-COVID conditions, long COVID-19, long-haul COVID-19, and post acute sequelae of SARS COV-2 infection (PASC).
How Common is Long COVID Syndrome?
Research shows that between 1 month and 1 year after having COVID-19, 1 in 5 people ages 18 to 64 has at least one medical condition that might be due to COVID-19. Among people age 65 and older, 1 in 4 has at least one medical condition that might be due to COVID-19.
What are the Symptoms of Long COVID?
Most commonly reported symptoms of Long COVID syndrome include:
Fatigue
Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort
Fever
Lung (respiratory) symptoms, including difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and cough
Other possible symptoms include:
Neurological symptoms or mental health conditions, including difficulty thinking or concentrating, headache, sleep problems, dizziness when you stand, pins-and-needles feeling, loss of smell or taste, and depression or anxiety
Joint or muscle pain
Heart symptoms or conditions, including chest pain and fast or pounding heartbeat’
4. Does Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) help symptoms of Long COVID?
As physicians and medical community continue to try new treatments for long COVID, there has been some hope after use of Stellate Ganglion Blocks to help with symptoms of Long COVID including “lack of smell/taste” “headache”, ‘brain fog”etc. These are the current studies that have shown some promise in managing long COVID symptoms. (Study 1) (Study 2) (Study 3)
5. How many treatments are necessary?
Current scientific evidence recommends two injections, one on the right and other on the left side. Usually on separate days.
6. What local anesthetic is used to perform SGB?
0.5% ropivacaine
7. Do you perform SGB at C6 or C4 & C6?
A recent study (reference) showed no significant difference when SGB was performed at C6 only Vs at C4 & C6. Also, 80% of the population the, inferior cervical ganglion (located at C6 (NOT C4) is fused with the first thoracic ganglion, forming the cervico-thoracic ganglion AKA Stellate Ganglion. We routinely perform at C6, as anatomically stellate ganglion is located at C6, C7 & T1 and it only involves one injection. If a patient would like to have it done at C4 & C6 we can to do TWO injections.
8. Do you inject steroids?
No
9. Are these services covered by insurances?
Stellate Ganglion Block for Long COVID is not covered by insurance.
Our fees: 1. Consultation: $300
2. Stellate Ganglion Block with Ultrasound: $500 (ONE Side ONLY)
10. Why Chose Dr. Kalava?
Unlike other physicians who use fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, Dr. Kalava performs Stellate Ganglion Block under direct ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound nerve blocks are much safer than X-ray guided blocks and also have ZERO radiation to the patient. Not only does Dr. Kalava perform these blocks, he also teaches other physicians via his educational company www.UltrasoundExperts.org.
Scientific Articles on efficacy of SGB and COVID-19 lack of smell and taste by Dr. Kalava 😍: 👉Link
