Neck Pain

Description:

Facet Joint Blocks are minimally invasive and highly effective in alleviating pain arising from arthritis and wear down of the spine. This procedure involves the injection of a long-lasting anesthetic into the facet joints in the neck, middle back, and lower back. Facet Joint Blocks serve as an effective diagnostic tool to precisely identify areas of the spine that cause pain. If Facet Joint Blocks provide significant short-term pain relief, then Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation will be recommended. Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation desensitizes small areas of the nerve tissue using an electrical current, which stops the transmission of painful signals.

Conditions Treated:

Facet Joint Blocks and Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation are commonly recommended for patients with the following conditions:

• Arthritis of the spine
• Facet joint arthritis
• Neck pain
• Middle back pain
• Lower back pain

What to Expect:

Facet Joint Blocks: procedure length: <5min. Patients start experiencing significant pain relief almost immediately. The expected duration of pain relief is several days. Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation: procedure length: <10min. Patients start experiencing significant pain relief within 2 weeks following the procedure. The expected duration of pain relief is 12 months. If requested by the patient, this procedure can be done with IV sedation. Please note that if IV sedation is requested, the patient would need to bring a driver with them on the day of the procedure.

Description:

Epidural Steroid Injections are minimally invasive and highly effective in alleviating pain and inflammation associated with various spinal conditions. This procedure involves the injection of a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic directly into the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerves. Epidural Steroid Injections can provide targeted relief for patients experiencing pain in the neck, back, arms, and legs.

Conditions Treated:

Epidural Steroid Injections are commonly recommended for patients with the following conditions:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal canal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Radiculopathy (nerve irritation)
• Sciatica
• Leg and arm pain

What to Expect:

Procedure length: <5min. Patients start experiencing significant pain relief within 2-3 days following the injection. The expected duration of pain relief is 3 to 6 months. Make sure to mention to your physician if you are taking a blood thinner, as some (but not all) Epidural Steroid Injections would require you to hold your blood thinner for a few days before the procedure. If requested by the patient, this procedure can be done with IV sedation. Please note that if IV sedation is requested, the patient would need to bring a driver with them on the day of the procedure

Description:

Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) is the study of muscles and nerves. EMG measures how well your muscles respond to the signals coming from the brain. NCS measures how well signals from the brain travel throughout the nervous system and whether a nerve has been damaged. In combination, these two tests provide a lot of useful information to your physician, whether diagnosing a problem or deciding on the best treatment plan.

Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Study is a very useful diagnostic tool during the following conditions:

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle cramps, spasms, and/or twitching
• Paralysis or any muscle
• Tingling or numbness in arms, legs, hands, and/or feet
• Loss of balance
• Nerve compression

What to Expect:

Procedure length: 30-60min. Minimal post-procedure discomfort.