Epidural Injections
– This is an injection of a combination of a steroid and a local
anesthetic (numbing medication) into the epidural space. The
epidural space is the area just around the spinal cord. They can
be performed in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
The injection numbs the surrounding tissue temporarily and decreases
inflammation of the soft tissue, particularly the nerve roots and
spinal cord, which offers long term pain relief. Epidural
injections are usually performed in a series of 2 to 3 injections
separated by about 2 weeks to achieve best results.
Trigger Point Injections – These injections are given directly into the muscle. The areas they target called trigger points are areas where the muscle is in spasm and painful. A combination of a local anesthetic and steroid are most commonly used. These can be performed on any muscle but are most common in the back and neck where Trigger Points most commonly occur..
Intercostal Nerve Block – An intercostal nerve block is an injection of an analgesic medicine into the spaces between ribs (usually 3). It is used for the treatment of pain caused by post-heart surgery, post chest surgery, fractured ribs, and shingles.
Sacroiliac Joint (SI) Injections – These joints, located in the back of the hips, can develop osteoarthritis like any other joints. The bones rub against each other and cause inflammation and pain. Injections of local anesthetics and steroids into the SI and facet joints can often alleviate pain.
Facet Injections – The zygapophyseal (facet) joints run the length of the spine on both sides and connect each vertebrae with the one above and below it. They are held together by ligaments just like other joint and stretch and move when we bend and twist. They are susceptible to arthritis too which can result in pain. Facet injections are given directly into the facet joints to alleviate pain caused by inflammation.
Sympathetic Nerve Block – This is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid into the area that surrounds the sympathetic nerves. The nerves run the length of the spine on both sides in a chain. Depending on where the injection is performed the block can alleviate pain and improve blood flow to areas such as the arms, abdomen, and legs. Patients with a history of cancer, diabetic neuropathy, phantom limb pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, poor circulation, and post-herpetic neuralgia of the legs can all potentially benefit from sympathetic blocks. Common types of blocks include stellate ganglion injections which help neck and arm pain and lumbar ganglion blocks to decrease pain in the lower extremities. Sympathetic blocks also increase blood flow to the areas being targeted.
Botox Injections – Botox injections can be given to patients who suffer from chronic migraine headaches to decrease the frequency of attacks. The injections are typically given in the forehead and the back of the head.
Intra-articular Injections – Injections of a steroid into the shoulder, hip, or knee to alleviate joint inflammation and pain due to bursitis, arthritis, or tendonitis.
Spinal Cord Stimulator – For spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to control your pain, you must have a small system placed in your body. An SCS system looks and works a lot like a pacemaker. An SCS system generates mild electrical pulses and sends them to your spinal cord. These electrical pulses replace the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation. SCS’s can benefit those who suffer from failed back syndrome and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – This procedure uses radio waves to heat nerve endings and cause a decrease in the transmission of pain signals from the area being treated to the brain. RFA can be performed on joints in the hips and spine to provide relief from pain.
Trigger Point Injections – These injections are given directly into the muscle. The areas they target called trigger points are areas where the muscle is in spasm and painful. A combination of a local anesthetic and steroid are most commonly used. These can be performed on any muscle but are most common in the back and neck where Trigger Points most commonly occur..
Intercostal Nerve Block – An intercostal nerve block is an injection of an analgesic medicine into the spaces between ribs (usually 3). It is used for the treatment of pain caused by post-heart surgery, post chest surgery, fractured ribs, and shingles.
Sacroiliac Joint (SI) Injections – These joints, located in the back of the hips, can develop osteoarthritis like any other joints. The bones rub against each other and cause inflammation and pain. Injections of local anesthetics and steroids into the SI and facet joints can often alleviate pain.
Facet Injections – The zygapophyseal (facet) joints run the length of the spine on both sides and connect each vertebrae with the one above and below it. They are held together by ligaments just like other joint and stretch and move when we bend and twist. They are susceptible to arthritis too which can result in pain. Facet injections are given directly into the facet joints to alleviate pain caused by inflammation.
Sympathetic Nerve Block – This is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid into the area that surrounds the sympathetic nerves. The nerves run the length of the spine on both sides in a chain. Depending on where the injection is performed the block can alleviate pain and improve blood flow to areas such as the arms, abdomen, and legs. Patients with a history of cancer, diabetic neuropathy, phantom limb pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, poor circulation, and post-herpetic neuralgia of the legs can all potentially benefit from sympathetic blocks. Common types of blocks include stellate ganglion injections which help neck and arm pain and lumbar ganglion blocks to decrease pain in the lower extremities. Sympathetic blocks also increase blood flow to the areas being targeted.
Botox Injections – Botox injections can be given to patients who suffer from chronic migraine headaches to decrease the frequency of attacks. The injections are typically given in the forehead and the back of the head.
Intra-articular Injections – Injections of a steroid into the shoulder, hip, or knee to alleviate joint inflammation and pain due to bursitis, arthritis, or tendonitis.
Spinal Cord Stimulator – For spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to control your pain, you must have a small system placed in your body. An SCS system looks and works a lot like a pacemaker. An SCS system generates mild electrical pulses and sends them to your spinal cord. These electrical pulses replace the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation. SCS’s can benefit those who suffer from failed back syndrome and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – This procedure uses radio waves to heat nerve endings and cause a decrease in the transmission of pain signals from the area being treated to the brain. RFA can be performed on joints in the hips and spine to provide relief from pain.