Sympathectomy Reduces Mechanical Allodynia, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Expression, and Dorsal Root Ganglion Apoptosis Following Nerve Root Crush Injury

Abstract

Surgical sympathectomy reduced mechanical allodynia for 14 days after nerve root crush injury, and that DRG apoptosis was decreased in injured animals that underwent sympathectomy. Sympathetic block may not only cause an increase in nerve blood flow, but may also prevent the development of significant TNF-alpha elevation, DRG apoptosis, and neuropathic pain.