Pain Management
Frequently Asked QuestionsMedication
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs)
- Analgesics
- Neuromodulating medications - used to treat neuropathic pain
Injections
Targetted delivery of steriod and long acting local anesthetic around the inflamed nerve or joint. These injections can provide pain relief and can be used to achieve the localisation of the source of your pain.
Information Booklet
Types of injection
An injection of local anesthetic and steroid is injected under image guidance, either X-Ray or CT into the area where the nerve exits the spinal canal. A nerve root injection is usually ordered by your doctor for pain in the arm or leg that follows the path of the inflamed nerve.
The facet joint lies towards the posterior part of the spine and can become inflamed due to arthritic type changes that occur with aging. A facet joint injection involves an injection of a small amount of local anesthetic and steriod into the affected joints.
These injections allow delivery of steriod and local anesthetic to the lumbar spine over a wider area, covering multiple levels. They can be useful in patients that have a multi-level problems.
Advanced pain management options
This refers to a process of delivering a small current in brief bursts to the affected or painful nerve. The bursts of current 'reset' the nerve to alter the transmission of pain signals, therefore reducing pain. Typically, PRF is performed after steriod injection treatments have been tried.
A needle is inserted and directed onto the medial branch nerves which supply the facet joint. An electric current is applied which heats the tissue around the nerve and cauterises the small nerves that are transmitting the pain from the arthritic joint, thereby reducing the patient's lower back pain.
Spinal cord stimulator devices are surgically placed under your skin and send a mild electric current to your spinal cord. Pain from your arm or leg can be reduced because the electrical pulses modify and mask the pain signals from reaching your brain.