Interventional Procedures
Interventional Pain Management in Maryland
What Is Interventional Pain Management?
What Are Interventional Procedures?
There is no “one size fits all” procedure for chronic pain. Your physician will recommend a specific one based on your medical history, the location of your pain, and the underlying cause. Here are some of the pain management injections we might recommend:Epidural Steroid Injections
If you deal with radiating back pain, sciatica, or spinal stenosis, an epidural steroid injection (ESI) is often one of the first lines of defense. During an ESI, you’ll receive an anti-inflammatory medication injected directly into the space near the irritated nerve. This doesn’t fix the mechanical issue (like the herniated disc itself), but it flushes out the inflammation. The resulting reduction in swelling often relieves the pressure on the nerve and alleviates overall pain.
Trigger Point Injections
Have you ever felt a tight, tender knot in your muscle that just won’t relax? In medical terms, this is a trigger point. These knots can form in the neck, shoulders, or lower back, causing significant pain and discomfort. A trigger point injection delivers a local anesthetic to the painful area and breaks up the inflammation. Most patients report immediate relief as the muscles relax and lengthen.
Nerve Block Injections
While some injections target inflammation, nerve blocks target the signal itself. Think of your nerves as electrical wires carrying messages to your brain. A nerve block effectively “turns off the switch” on a specific group of nerves. Some nerve block injections are purely diagnostic, but others are used for treating chronic pain, too.
Joint Injections
Arthritis and injuries can wear down the cartilage in major joints like the hip, knee, and shoulder. When bone rubs against bone, or when the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed, the pain can be debilitating. To address this major discomfort, your doctor can inject medication directly into the joint and reduce inflammation.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
For patients who need a longer-lasting solution, radiofrequency ablation may be effective. This procedure uses radio waves to heat nerve tissue, rendering it unable to transmit pain signals. RFA is commonly used for lower back pain and neck pain stemming from arthritis.