Today we are excited to feature a case report from our featured IOF Member of the Week Charles Lee, MD.

About Charles Lee, MD

Dr. Charles Lee of  Regenesis Stem Cell Center in Huntsville, AL is board certified in anesthesiology. He has completed all advanced IOF training courses, many more than once. In 2014, Dr. Lee transitioned his medical practice fully to regenerative medicine.

Case Report

The Interventional Orthobiologic Foundation is the gold standard for learning musculoskeletal (MSC) regenerative medicine injections. Still, we have thus far failed to address patients’ pain resulting from a lost limb, i.e., phantom limb pain. 

However, I have recently discovered an unintended benefit from a procedure that has eliminated my patient’s phantom limb pain. I wish to submit this case overview and finding to you for your consideration.

 Meet Matt Bacik; he lost his right leg below the knee in military service and has suffered phantom leg pain and PTSD ever since. In addition to treating MSC disorders, I participate in a comprehensive PTSD treatment program, and Matt sought help from this disorder. 

After a thorough history, physical examination, and PTSD civilian symptoms documentation, I performed an ultrasound-guided modified Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) on February 11th with 0.1 ml/Kg 0.5% Ropivacaine combined with .01 mg/kg Decadron. Using a 25G 2.5″ needle in-plane approach in our fully equipped OR, I injected the Stellate Ganglion located on the anterior surface of the Longus Coli medial to Chassaignac’s tubercle. A successful block produces Horner’s syndrome. 

Matt currently has continued complete relief from his PTSD and Phantom Limb Pain. I am recruiting additional patients with phantom limb pain for this potential treatment approach. Have you any experience with this approach to Phantom Limb pain? Should we consider offering SGB training at IOF?