Back pain can originate from chronic degenerative processes or trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a work-related injury. It can be isolated to the back or can sometimes radiate into the gluteal region, leg and foot. Our diagnostic approaches to back pain include physical exams, nerve conduction studies/EMG, and imaging, such as MRIs, x-rays, and CT-scans. Treatment for back pain is unique to each patient, and can include physical and occupational therapy, medication management, and interventional pain procedures.
There are several types of interventional pain procedures we commonly use with our patients to treat chronic degenerative or injury related back pain. These include the following:
Lumbar Facet Joint Injections/Medial Branch Blocks
These injections are used for diagnostic and potentially therapeutic purposes to aid in determining the origin of back pain and to further an appropriate treatment plan.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Once the source of the pain is diagnosed, this procedure is a long-term solution for pain relief. The ablation targets the joint pain and decreases the nerve signal, thus reducing the pain.
Epidural Steroid Injection
Interlaminar (generalized approach) and transforaminal (targeted approach) epidural steroid injections provide medication to a generalized area, reducing inflammation and providing pain relief.
Sacroiliac Joint Injection
This treatment is appropriate for patients experiencing pain in the lower lumbar/gluteal area due to pregnancy, chronic degenerative processes, injury/trauma, and rheumatologic disease.
Intra-Articular Hip Injection
This procedure provides relief for those experiencing pain in the hip joint due to arthritis or other any other hip joint abnormality.
Coccydynia
These steroid injection options offer relief for localized pain in the coccyx (tail bone) area.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
Candidates for spinal cord stimulator trials include post laminectomy syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and complex regional pain syndrome/reflex sympathetic dystrophy.