Spinal Injections

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are used to relieve inflammation and pain from back and/or leg pain, sciatica. In addition, Epidural steroid injections may be used in the neck or cervical area to relieve pain and most often in conjunction with a rehabilitation plan to help the healing process of the injured area.

Facet Injections are used to relieve inflammation and pain from the back and/or leg. A facet injection is very similar to an epidural steroid injection but is used in an inflamed facet joint instead of the epidural space. Inflammation of the facet joint may be caused by arthritis, degeneration, or injury. This injection is a minimally invasive technique that injects anti-inflammatory and anesthetic into a facet joint to decrease inflammation and pain. Often this is used in conjunction with a rehabilitation program.

Selective nerve root blocks are injections that target a specific nerve that is causing significant pain in the arm, lateral chest (abdomen), or leg. This injection provides a steroid, anti-inflammatory agent, an anesthetic, for immediate pain relief. Selective Nerve Root Blocks are a very similar procedure to Epidural Injections, except this injection specifically targets the nerve versus the general area of discomfort.

The Sacroiliac joint (SI Joint) is the joint connecting the sacrum and the Ilium or iliac bones (two bones that make up each side of the pelvis). Pain from this joint normally presents in the lower back, groin, thigh, and/or buttocks. The pain may increase with walking but will not be below the knee if associates with the sacroiliac joint. The SI joint pain could be due to trauma, pressure, wear and tear, arthritis, or numerous other factors.

Patients with certain types of cancers and chronic pancreatitis may suffer from intractable pain. Often these patients are dependent on large doses of pain killers (narcotics) with the inherent side effects. The Celiac Plexus block technique allows the interventional radiologist to deaden the specific nerves carrying the pain sensation from the abdomen to your brain. One or two small needles are placed directly into the area of the celiac plexus nerves. A local anesthetic will be injected into the nerves followed by absolute alcohol. This will locally destroy the specific nerves transmitting pain.

Patients with certain disease processes or thoracic surgery may suffer from rib pain afterward. Intercostal nerve blocks provide an injection of a local anesthetic directly into the area of pain to deaden the nerve(s). Asteroid medication may also be injected to reduce the inflammation. If the pain returns, the nerves may be locally destroyed by the injection of absolute alcohol or radiofrequency ablation.