Staff typically consists of a nurse or assistant, a fluoroscopic C-arm operator, and the physician.

A time-out should be performed at which time the staff identify the patient, discuss which procedure will be performed, and verify the side of the body to be treated. The patient should be placed on the fluoroscopy table in the prone position. Some clinicians choose to provide the patient with intravenous sedation at this time. Once the target area has been identified, the area should be cleaned thoroughly with a betadine solution and then covered with a sterile draping. After the patient has been positioned appropriately and the skin has been sterilized, the clinician may proceed.

The fluoroscope's C-arm imaging projector should be positioned such that the L2 and L3 vertebrae are easily visualized, and the superior endplates are aligned. Occasionally, the procedure is done under computed tomography guidance. The C-arm is placed in the oblique plane until the end of the transverse process is aligned with the anterior aspect of the vertebral body to avoid the transverse process during the insertion of the needle. The needle should be aimed towards the anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies of L2 or L3.[23] Sometimes, the block is done at both levels. Local anesthesia is injected at the planned entry point. Once the trajectory has been confirmed, the C-arm should be returned to an anteroposterior view. From here, the needle is introduced and advanced. It should approach the target vertebral body in the mid pedicular position. The needle should be in contact with the vertebra and "walked along" the vertebral body to ensure correct placement. The great vessels are located ventral to the vertebral bodies. A lateral image should be obtained to verify the depth of the needle. The needle should be adjusted so that it is three to five millimeters dorsal to the most ventral portion of the vertebral body.

Once in the correct position, and aspiration was negative for air, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid, 1 mL of contrast is injected to ensure adequate flow and proper location. The clinician should be able to visualize the contrast covering the anterior portion of the vertebral body with an inferior and superior spread at L1 to L3. After adequate location and craniocaudal spread, the medication (anesthetic bupivacaine 0.5%, ethanol 96%, or botulinum toxin) is injected to complete the lumbar sympathetic blockade. The needle is removed and pressure is applied on the entry point and then covered with a bandage. The greatest indication of a successful lumbar sympathetic block is a two to three degree Celcius rise in the temperature of the affected limb. The patient might also note that the skin of the extremity on the injected side will become flushed as a result of blood vessel dilation.

The most common complications include bleeding, bruising, swelling, and soreness at the site of injection. This is usually self-limited and resolves within hours to days of having the procedure. Some patients have also reported dizziness, headache, and transient numbness and weakness of the leg on the side that was injected.[24][25][26][27] More serious complications include infection, visceral injury, intravascular injection, intralymphatic injection, ureter injury, kidney injury, Horner's syndrome, an allergic reaction to the medication, although these occurrences are exceedingly rare.[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Anterior thigh pain, presumably from damage to the genitofemoral nerve and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, may occur in some patients.[24][35]

Overall, the lumbar sympathetic block is a safe and effective procedure that can be used to alleviate pain in the appropriate patient population. This includes people with vascular insufficiency of the lower extremities, complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and other neuropathic pain syndromes that are refractory to medical management.[36][37]

The nurse and physician performing the procedure must be aware of the most common complications include bleeding, bruising, swelling, and soreness at the site of injection. The agent is usually prepared by the pharmacy; dosing and proper formulation fall to them to perform correctly and discuss any potential adverse effects with the team. The nurse must provide monitoring and report untoward events such as dizziness and transient numbness and weakness of the leg on the side that was injected. More serious complications including infection, intravascular injection, and allergic reaction to the medication may occur and the interprofessional healthcare team should be prepared to work together to respond. [Level 5] The collaboration of the interdisciplinary team helps to ensure good pain-free results and improve outcomes.