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Treatments

  • HomeDr. Kunal Arora

What is pain management?

Pain management services provided by interventional radiologists focus on diagnosing and treating chronic and acute pain conditions using minimally invasive techniques under imaging guidance. These procedures aim to alleviate pain, improve function, and enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from various pain syndromes.

By utilizing advanced imaging techniques to guide interventions, these procedures provide targeted pain relief with fewer risks and shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods. These innovative techniques play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for patients suffering from debilitating pain.

Common Pain Management Procedures

1. Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks involve the injection of anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication around specific nerves to block pain signals.

  • Purpose: To provide temporary or long-term pain relief for conditions like neuropathic pain, chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and post-surgical pain.
  • Procedure: A needle is guided to the target nerve using imaging (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or CT) and medication is injected to block pain transmission.

2. Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections deliver corticosteroids and anesthetics into the epidural space of the spine.

  • Purpose: To reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica.
  • Procedure: Using fluoroscopic or CT guidance, a needle is inserted into the epidural space and the medication is injected.

3. Facet Joint Injections
Facet joint injections involve injecting anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication into the facet joints of the spine.

  • Purpose: To treat neck, mid-back, and lower back pain originating from the facet joints due to arthritis or injury.
  • Procedure: A needle is guided to the facet joint using fluoroscopy, and the medication is injected to reduce pain and inflammation.

4. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to disrupt nerve function and reduce pain.

  • Purpose: To provide long-term pain relief for conditions like arthritis, facet joint pain, and sacroiliac joint pain.
  • Procedure: A probe is guided to the target nerve using imaging, and radiofrequency energy is applied to create a thermal lesion, disrupting the nerve's ability to transmit pain signals.

5. Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are procedures used to treat vertebral compression fractures.

  • Purpose: To stabilize the fracture, reduce pain, and restore spinal height in cases of osteoporosis or trauma.
  • Procedure: A needle is inserted into the fractured vertebra under fluoroscopic guidance, and bone cement is injected (vertebroplasty) or a balloon is inflated first to create space before cement injection (kyphoplasty).

6. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) involves implanting a device that sends electrical impulses to the spinal cord to modulate pain signals.

  • Purpose: To treat chronic pain conditions that do not respond to other treatments, such as failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathic pain.
  • Procedure: Electrodes are placed in the epidural space under imaging guidance, and a pulse generator is implanted to deliver electrical impulses that interfere with pain signal transmission.

7. Celiac Plexus Block
Celiac plexus block involves the injection of medication around the celiac plexus, a network of nerves supplying the abdominal organs.

  • Purpose: To relieve pain associated with chronic pancreatitis, abdominal cancers, and other chronic abdominal pain syndromes.
  • Procedure: A needle is guided to the celiac plexus using imaging, and anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication is injected to block pain signals.

8. Joint Injections
Joint injections deliver corticosteroids and anesthetics directly into painful joints, such as the hip, knee, shoulder, or sacroiliac joint.

  • Purpose: To reduce inflammation and pain in joints affected by arthritis, bursitis, or other inflammatory conditions.
  • Procedure: Using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, a needle is inserted into the joint space and medication is injected.

What are the benefits of pain management?

  • Minimally Invasive: Reduced recovery time, lower risk of complications, and minimal scarring compared to open surgery.
  • Targeted Treatment: Precise delivery of medication or therapeutic agents to the affected area, providing effective pain relief.
  • Improved Quality of Life: Significant pain reduction leads to improved function, mobility, and overall quality of life.
  • Multimodal Approach: Can be combined with other pain management strategies such as physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications.
  • Diagnostic and Therapeutic: Procedures can help diagnose the source of pain while providing therapeutic relief.