Pain Management

Epidural steroid injections are nonsurgical treatments for low back (lumbar) pain, upper back (thoracic) pain, and neck (cervical) pain. During an epidural, medication is injected near the painful area of the spine. Your condition may require a series of lumbar epidural injections, thoracic epidural injections, or cervical epidural injections to ease your neck or back pain and inflammation.

Facet joint injections are nonsurgical treatments to relieve pain and inflammation of the facet joints (located at the top and bottom of each vertebra) in the spine. During a facet joint injection, medication is injected into the facet joint capsule or surrounding tissue.

A nerve block involves delivering medication to the nerve suspected of being the source of your pain. Nerve blocks can be used therapeutically (offering immediate pain relief for a set period of time) as well as diagnostically (to identify the correct nerve).

If the nerve block relieves your pain, then your doctor can proceed with treatment, which may include additional injections of medication or surgery.

Peripheral joint injections are administered within the joints of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. Pain in these joints may be caused by bursitis, tendonitis, or arthritis.

The sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum, which is located at the end of the spine, to the two large pelvic bones (the iliac bones). Sacroiliac joint injections are given to reduce inflammation that is causing pain in the buttocks, thigh, groin, or hip joint.

Spinal cord stimulation is another technique that can be performed for the relief of chronic back pain. It involves implanting a small wire under the skin. The wire is connected to a power source that transmits low-level electrical impulses to the spinal cord or specific nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain.

Trigger point injections are used to treat knots of tight muscles in many areas of the body. Trigger points are tight bands of muscle that are sensitive to touch. The trigger point can irritate surrounding nerves and cause referred pain, a type of pain that radiates to nearby areas. Trigger points can result in migraine headaches as well as pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.

Ultrasound is a type of noninvasive diagnostic imaging that involves the use of a handheld device that sends sound waves into the body to provide an image of internal tissues.

At Advanced Bone & Joint, our orthopedic specialists use it primarily to guide pain management injections and other therapies. UItrasound allows the medication to be delivered precisely where it is needed to bring you relief from your pain and other symptoms.

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a minimally invasive pain management method. The Sprint PNS System uses a thin wire, called a "lead", attached to a small wearable device to deliver gentle electrical pulses to specific nerves. Using a small needle in an outpatient procedure, the lead is inserted into the treated area to deliver electrical signals to specific nerves, producing a mild tingling to block pain.

Learn more about Sprint PNS for chronic pain relief

The MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) procedure is designed to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves in the lower back.

The main goal of the MILD procedure is to relieve pressure on the nerves by removing small pieces of bone and/or thickened ligament, thereby restoring space in the spinal canal. The procedure is performed through a tiny incision in the back, which minimizes damage to surrounding tissues.

It is typically conducted on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can usually go home the same day. Patients often experience immediate relief or improvement in their symptoms following the procedure. The MILD procedure provides an alternative to more invasive surgical treatments for LSS. It has a reduced risk of complications and eliminates the need for general anesthesia, implants, or stitches.

The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive treatment specifically designed for chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease when certain criteria are met. The procedure targets the basivertebral nerve, which is believed to be a generator of chronic low back pain in some patients with degenerative disc disease.

Using X-ray guidance, a specialized device is introduced into the vertebral body of the spine to ablate (or "turn off") the basivertebral nerve. Patients may experience some post-procedure discomfort, but many report significant pain relief within weeks, with continued improvement over months.

The Intracept procedure provides a treatment option for patients who haven't found relief from conservative treatments but want to avoid major surgery. It targets the potential source of the pain without altering the structural components of the spine.

The Intracept Procedure from Relievant Medsystems on Vimeo.

The Minuteman® is a device designed for minimal-invasive fusion and stabilization of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine areas. It connects to the posterior non-cervical spine's spinous processes with bilateral fixation plates and is meant to hold bone graft material inside.

This device offers spinal segment stabilization and immobilization. Its threaded core post ensures precise positioning, and its variety of sizes guarantees a better fit for each patient’s individual anatomy.

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to treat vertebral compression fractures. By stabilizing the fractured vertebrae, it not only alleviates pain but also restores the spine's natural height.

The procedure employs specialized balloons to create space, which is then filled with bone cement for stabilization. This method is particularly beneficial for patients suffering from painful vertebral compression fractures, offering them relief and improved posture.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a precise and effective treatment option for various tumors affecting the skeletal system. Our specialized team is dedicated to addressing tumors such as osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, spinal hemangioma, and metastatic tumors originating from breast, lung, or prostate cancer.

Using advanced imaging guidance, RFA delivers targeted radiofrequency energy to the tumor, generating heat that destroys cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. This outpatient procedure minimizes recovery time and discomfort, allowing patients to regain mobility and quality of life sooner.

Genicular nerve ablation (genicular nerve block) is an innovative procedure designed to provide relief for individuals suffering from chronic knee osteoarthritis. This minimally invasive technique targets the genicular nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the knee joint to the brain. By utilizing advanced image-guided technology, these nerves are precisely heated or cooled to interrupt pain transmission, reducing discomfort, and enhancing mobility.

Patients can expect a significant reduction in knee pain, improved joint function, and an enhanced quality of life. With shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgeries, genicular nerve ablation offers a promising solution for those seeking effective, long-lasting relief from chronic knee osteoarthritis.