So What Is Spine Intervention, Exactly?
It's a class of minimally invasive treatments that focus on specific structures within your spine which cause pain. Not general pain management. Do not mask symptoms with medications. A real, image-guided treatment directed at the exact point of origin.
The spine is a complex system. The pain that results from a herniated disc is different from the pain that is caused by facet joint arthritisand both may manifest in the form of "lower lower back pain" in the patients. Spine Intervention works by finding out where exactly the issue is, and then immediately follows it.
Based on the situation it could look like:
Epidural injections of steroids are anti-inflammatory medications that is injected into the epidural area in the exact location where the irritated nerve roots reside. Typically, these injections are used for sciatica, disc herniations as well as spinal stenosis. A majority of patients experience significant improvements within a couple of days.
Injections of the facet joints Facet joint injections are tiny stabilizing joints that are located through the spine's back. When they begin to degenerate -- something that occurs for most people with the course of time, they may cause significant pain. The injections are directed directly to the joint.
Ablation using radiofrequency This method makes use of heat to disrupt the nerve signals that transmit pain to a particular joint or location. It sounds more powerful than it really is. The majority of patients are able to tolerate it and the relief can last from several months to several years.
Medial branch block are often used to determine the nerves at fault for the patient's discomfort prior to committing to a longer-term treatment. It's an examination that provides short-term relief.
A spinal cord stimulation A tiny implanted device which sends gentle electrical impulses through the cord effectively redirecting pain signals before they are absorbed. This is usually thought of when other procedures aren't working, particularly in patients who have had a back surgery that has failed.
This is a misconception that's worth dispelling: Spine Interventionisn't only for severe instances. It's not the only option you can try after you've tried everything else.
For a majority of patients, it's the best next step after basic conservative treatment such as physical therapy, rest and oral medication -- isn't working after about six weeks.
The typical patient's profile is something like this the following: pain that has been present for a long time, perhaps radiating to the legs or arms images that show some structural issue and a growing frustration with treatments that offer only some relief or only temporary relief.
This is a broad field. It includes those in their 40s and 50s with disc degeneration that is early and those in their 70s who have arthritis. It also includes people who've had a spine procedure and are experiencing discomfort. The age of the patient and previous treatment history aren't necessarily a reason to exclude patients.
What is important is a thorough assessment, not just imaging, but rather a medical discussion about what the source of pain is, what can make it more severe, and what structures might be involved.
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