For numerous persons living with chronic pain, obtaining pain relief could be difficult. Finding the right solution involves numerous trials and errors. Luckily, interventional pain management can help chronic pain patients deal with their discomfort. Unlike other pain management therapies, like prescription medicines, interventional pain management utilizes procedures like radiofrequency rhizotomy and injections to directly treat the root cause of pain. Occasionally, Dr. Clement Yeh uses these interventional pain management procedures as part of a multidisciplinary approach to alleviate pain and associated symptoms. Meanwhile, continue reading to discover the Interventional pain treatment is frequently used procedures.
Table of Contents
1. Injections
Injections, also known as nerve blocks, offer momentary pain relief. These injections deliver potent medications like opioids and steroids directly onto or near the nerves to alleviate discomfort. A common joint injection for pain is the epidural steroid injection that alleviates pain in the lumbar spine.
Other prevalent injections include sacroiliac joint injections, facet joint injections, and single nerve root blocks. You will probably require 2-3 injections for optimal benefits.
2. Radiofrequency Rhizotomy
Using x-ray control and a needle with an electrode at the apex that heats up, radiofrequency rhizotomy momentarily disables the nerve’s ability to send pain signals to the brain. Other common names for this procedure include neuroablation and radiofrequency ablation.
For most patients, this treatment offers pain relief for 6-12 months. However, during this period, your doctor may suggest complementary therapies like physical therapy to address inherent physical issues triggering discomfort.
3. Intrathecal Pump Implants
Implants for intrathecal pumps offer powerful medications directly to the root of your discomfort. This treatment is a form a process of neuromodulation therapy that disrupts pain messages to the brain. This interventional pain management is common cancer discomfort and unsuccessful neck or back surgery.
This procedure offers constant pain relief, and if you use oral medicines, you can discontinue them. However, Intrathecal Pump Implants are more intrusive than injections, so they are often not used as a first resort.
4. Electrical Stimulation
Electrical Stimulation is another form of neuromodulation. Like pump implants, your specialist places something inside your body. This procedure is quite effective for specific spine conditions, as well as issues that affect your nerves or brain, like epilepsy, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson’s disease.
Rather than pain, some patients experience tingling feelings with this therapy. However, like with implants, this procedure is invasive and often suggested when other conservative solutions fail.
5. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy enables you to utilize your blood to alleviate pain and assist you to heal from soft tissue traumas like tendon and ligament injuries. Plasma is the portion of your blood containing platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells.
With PRP therapy, your doctor obtains your blood sample and separates the platelets in a centrifuge. Then, your doctor injects the platelet-rich plasma into the damaged cartilage or tendon. In around six weeks, you will experience enhanced function and reduced pain.
Pain management has hugely changed over the years. More pain doctors provide interventional pain therapy designed to treat pain at its root. With the growing opioid crisis and more concentration on alleviating chronic pain without medication, interventional pain therapy provides a safer and more effective alternative for plastic chronic pain management. Whether you have lower back pain, neck pain, chronic headaches, or muscle pain, interventional pain management can help. However, as with other treatments, these procedures bear certain risks. Therefore, talk to your doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for interventional pain management.
