TREATMENTS //

Medication Management

 

     Your individually tailored treatment may include the use of medications. Pain management with medications is often a course of educated trial and assessment. Relieving chronic pain requires time, patience, and an active participation in your own care.

 

     Several medications which treat other conditions may be effective for certain painful conditions, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and anti-inflammatory medications. Opioid medications, also called narcotics, may be prescribed in specific cases. Because of the potential for complications, all patients prescribed opioids are required to sign a formal agreement and must be assessed at regular intervals. It is your responsibility to understand your medication regimen and take your medication only as directed. In order to manage your medications effectively, you will need to be seen by your provider at regular intervals.

 

 

 

 

Minimally Invasive Procedures

 

     Listed below are some of the common procedures performed by our Pain Specialists.

 

• Epidural Steroid Injections (interlaminar, transforaminal, caudal)

• Facet (Zygapophysial) Joint Interventions (intraarticular injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency neuroablation)

• Sacroiliac Joint Injections

• Discography (Disc Stimulation)

• Radiofrequency Neuroablation

• Spinal Cord Stimulation

• Sympathetic Nerve Interventions (cervical sympathetic/stellate ganglion, lumbar sympathetic)

• Trigger Point Injections

• Peripheral Joint Injections

• Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

 

 

 

 

After Procedure

 

Resume all your medications as before. You may restart Coumadin the day after your procedure as directed by the prescriber.  Lovenox and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be started in 4 to 6 hours as directed by the prescriber.

 

You may experience soreness and pain at the injection site for several days. Icing the area 20 minutes at a time, three times per day, for a couple of days may help. Use caution with heat or ice, as your skin may be numb.

 

You may experience temporary tingling and numbness after the injection.  In some patients, the pain can worsen temporarily due to the pressure from the injected medication.  These symptoms typically resolve in 2-3 days.  Avoid operating machinery for 12 hours after the procedure.

 

Rest for the first 12 hours after the procedure. You may resume Physical therapy the next day, but avoid strenuous exercise for a week. Avoid extreme bending, twisting, and lifting.  Slowly increase your activity and exercise level as tolerated.

 

Improvement in pain may take up to 3 to 10 days, and the procedure may need to be repeated.

 

If you have any questions or if you need another appointment, please call us at 301-530-7303.