Spinal and axial pain
Back pain is one of the most common pain in people.
And has many causes, read what is necessary to do to identify them:
In Spinal And Axial Pain; Back pain is one of the most common pain in people and can have many causes. To identify these causes it is necessary to make a diagnosis. Discography is one of the most common. This procedure involves performing an invasive diagnostic procedure under fluoroscopic control, often using contrast agents to enhance visualization and accuracy. During an intervertebral disc puncture, the radiologist introduces contrast into the nucleus pulposus.
Discography assesses the disc’s volumetric and manometric capacity, radiological image, and response to provocation tests. Through a discography a physician can detect whether there is a disc abnormality in the spine.
Treatments for spinal and axial pain
Once discography identifies the cause of Spondylopathy pain, healthcare providers can commence treatment based on the findings. Subsequently, they can take appropriate measures to alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life. Some of these treatments are as follows:
Extradural steroid injections
Healthcare providers commonly perform an epidural steroid injection (ESI) to alleviate pain from spinal conditions by injecting medication into the spinal nerve space. Additionally, with a high effectiveness rate, side effects are rare but may include infection, dural puncture, bleeding, and nerve damage.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is an effective alternative when inflammation exceeds the benefits of an epidural injection. Additionally, this treatment delivers electrical pulses to the spine, blocking neuron fibers’ access to the brain and reducing pain perception without surgery.
Epidural fibrosis treatment
Epidural scar lysis of adhesions targets persistent pain from scar tissue in the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. Using specialized tools, a physician breaks up and dissolves scar tissue, relieving nerve pressure and restoring spinal function. This procedure provides significant relief for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome or spinal stenosis, where scar tissue leads to ongoing discomfort and mobility issues.
Intra-articular facet injections
Intra-articular facet injections target pain and inflammation in the facet joints of the spine by delivering medication directly into them. This targeted approach helps alleviate discomfort and improve mobility, forming a vital part of treatment for facet joint-related back pain.
Medial branch nerve blocks
Healthcare providers diagnose and manage pain from facet joint origins using medial branch nerve blocks. They inject a local anesthetic near pain-transmitting spinal nerves, providing temporary relief and pinpointing the source of discomfort. These blocks are commonly used in conditions like facet joint syndrome and spondylosis for both diagnosis and treatm Moreover, these injections serve as valuable tools in accurately identifying and managing spinal conditions.
Medial branch radiofrequency ablation
Medial branch radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treats chronic neck or back pain from facet joint origins by disrupting pain-transmitting nerves’ function with radiofrequency energy, offering long-lasting relief. Furthermore, it offers significant relief and improvement in symptoms, particularly for individuals who have not responded to conservative therapies.
Transforaminal Peridural steroid injections
During a transforaminal injection, healthcare providers insert a needle into the epidural space through the bony opening of the exiting nerve root. Additionally, this procedure aims to precisely target and deliver medication to the affected nerve root, providing localized pain relief.
These steroid injections buy time for healing or to avoid surgery after failed conservative treatments.
Trigger points injections
Healthcare providers perform a trigger point injection as an outpatient procedure designed to reduce or relieve the back pain caused by trigger points. These small knots can form in muscles or in the fascia tissue leading to myofascial pain.
And these are some of the most effective treatments for spinal and axial pain. IIf you experience complications and seek more information about these treatments, please contact us for further details.