Procedures
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
The spinal stimulator lead is a thin wire that is placed through a needle in the Epidural Space. The device is placed under the skin near the Spinal Cord, and it delivers a mild electric current to block the nerve pain. A weeklong trial simulation is performed to test the device and see how much pain relief is achieved before committing to the device permanently. It is a small device that is taped to the back for the trial period. If the trial is successful, the patient can choose to get a permanent spinal cord stimulator implant.
MILD
The MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) is a great procedure for patients with spinal stenosis, that prevents the patients from standing or walking for long periods of time. Our doctors use specialized tools under imaging guidance to create a tiny incision in your back, which helps them remove pieces of bone and ligament that obstruct the spinal canal. This restores the spinal space, thereby decreasing the compression of the nerves, effectively eradicating the pain, and increasing mobility.
Intrathecal Pain Pump
Intrathecal pain pumps are medication pumps that are implanted under the skin and deliver high potency medication into the spinal canal. The pump consists of a reservoir that holds the medication and a catheter that is tunneled through the skin and into the spinal canal.
Vertiflex
Vertiflex is a simple, safe treatment that provides effective long-term relief of back pain from lumbar spinal stenosis. This FDA approved procedure uses a small implant to create space for nerves of the back. This indirect spine decompression procedure reduces or resolves pain.
Endoscopic Discectomy
Endoscopic discectomy is a minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of herniated discs. The procedure works be removing parts of a herniated disc that may be impinging on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This procedure has a high success rate, minimal recovery time, and minimal scar tissue.
SI Joint Injections
A sacroiliac (SI) joint injection, or a sacroiliac joint block, is primarily used to either diagnose or treat pain over the superior part of the buttock that may radiate to one of both sides down the body. This pain is more prevalent in females, particularly those that have given birth, as childbirth can cause chronic pain in the pelvic joints.
Medial Branch Block (MBB)
The medial branch nerve is the nerve that innervates the facet joints in the spine. There is a medial branch nerve at each level of the spine. When patients have arthritis of the facet joints, blocking this nerve or neurotomy of the nerve can make the patient not feel the arthritis as well. The medial branch block is most commonly used as a diagnostic tool to figure out if facet joint arthritis is contributing to a patient’s back pain.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat application to sensory nerves to stop the transmission of pain. This procedure requires the use of a specialized device and radiofrequency needles, placed alongside the nerve. The physician then transmits a small electrical current to make sure the right nerve is being targeted. RFA uses heat to disrupt the nerve’s ability to send pain signals, lessening the pain felt by the patient.
Minuteman Procedure
The Minuteman procedure is a treatment option offered for patients with spinal stenosis who have failed to manage their pain with conservative treatments and medications. Patients with spinal stenosis typically have increased back pain when straightening out their back, such as when they are sleeping or standing/sitting up straight for extended periods of time.
Sympathetic Nerve Block
A sympathetic nerve block is a nerve block of a nerve plexus, or bundle of nerves, that lie on the front side of the vertebral column. These bundles of nerves sense pain in the abdomen and pelvis. Using fluoroscopic guidance, a needle is placed in the proximity of the nerve plexus and then local anesthetic, and sometimes steroid, are injected into the area.
Transforaminal Epidural Spinal Injection
In a lumbar epidural injection, a local anesthetic or a steroid is injected into the epidural space. When this procedure is carried out at the site from which the nerve exits the spine, it is called a Transforaminal Epidural Spinal Injection. This involves numbing the skin and inserting a needle directly into the Epidural space under the guidance from Fluoroscopy to inject close to the source of inflammation.
Lumbar Epidural Spinal Injection (LESI)
A lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) is a common procedure performed at the pain clinic. It involves accessing the epidural space with a needle and injecting medications (usually steroids) into the space. The epidural space is the space just outside of the spinal cord. When steroids are injected into the space, they will calm down inflamed nerves in the area.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation involves placing a lead adjacent to a nerve that is causing pain. The lead stimulates the nerve at a level that is not felt by the patient but is strong enough to turn off pain signals the nerve is sending back to the spinal cord and brain. The patient usually has a battery that they wear on the outside of their skin in close proximity to where the lead is placed under the skin.