Treatment Options
Epidurals
An epidural injection is a shot of medicine in your neck or back. It goes into the area around the spinal cord. This type of injection may have both a steroid and a local anesthetic or may only have a steroid. The steroid reduces swelling and pain. The local anesthetic numbs the nerves. Some individuals receive a series of these injections over weeks or months.
- Cervical epidurals help with pain, tingling, or numbness in your neck, shoulder or arm.
- Lumbar epidurals help with pain, tingling, or numbness in your back, thighs or legs.
How is a cervical epidural done? The doctor will use a tiny needle to numb the skin where the injection is being given. After the skin is numb, the doctor will use a larger needle for the epidural injection. X-ray will be used to help guide the needle. There may be some pressure, but should not feel pain. The epidural injection takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Intrathecal Pain Pump
An intrathecal pain pump is a surgically implanted drug delivery system that sends pain medication directly to the spinal cord. This therapy is a treatment recommended to selected patients of chronic pain who have not experienced adequate pain relief from conservative approaches.
Joint Injections
Joint injections are shots into a joint in the body, such as the knee, hip or shoulder. Different types of medications may be used for joint injections, such as pain relievers and steroid medicines.
Steroids can be injected directly into a swollen and painful joint to reduce inflammation. A steroid shot can sometimes help with short-term pain relief when other treatments have not worked. If steroid shots help, pain may improve for weeks or even months.
How are joint injections performed? First, the area over the joint will be cleaned. The doctor may then use a tiny needle to numb the skin in the area where the joint injection will be given. If a tiny needle is used to numb the area, the doctor will use another needle to inject the medicine. The doctor may use a pain reliever, steroid or both. You may feel some pressure or discomfort.
The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation uses an electric current to heat up a small area of nerve tissue to stop it from sending pain signals. This procedure can provide lasting relief for people with chronic pain, especially in the lower back, neck and arthritic joints.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator is a type of implantable neuromodulation device. It sends electrical signals to select areas of the spinal cord for treatment of certain pain conditions. This therapy is considered for patients who have a pain condition that has not responded to other treatments.
Vertiflex
The Vertiflex Procedure is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that has been clinically proven to provide effective long-term relief from the pain associated with LSS.
- FDA approved
- Same-day procedure
- Quick recovery time
The Vertiflex procedure is performed using a small incision in the patient's back, through which a spacer device is inserted to create more space within the spinal canal. This helps to relieve pressure on the nerves, resulting in improved pain and mobility for the patient. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require a hospital stay.
Patients with spinal stenosis often experience back pain that is relieved by leaning forward, trouble walking, and pain radiating down the backs of their legs. It is most often found in older adults.