Interventional Pain Management Injections

Interventional pain injections are minimally invasive medical procedures that are designed to help alleviate and manage pain in specific areas of the body, especially when other medications or treatments have proved to be ineffective. Some common sites of injection include the spine, joints, and nerves. They typically contain steroids, numbing agents, or saline to block pain signals, reduce inflammation, or treat underlying issues. Interventional pain management is a specialized branch of anesthesia that can help those experiencing chronic pain.

During the procedure, interventional pain injections usually require the aid of a fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance) to ensure that the medication is being administered to the appropriate body part, which may be as small as a joint, making precision an important aspect. While the primary objective of interventional pain injections is to restore function and supply relief, they are frequently used in conjunction with other pain management methods such as lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and other medications as part of a comprehensive plan.

Interventional pain injections encompass a variety of different medical injections that are designed to treat and manage different types of pain. Some of which include epidural injections, nerve blocks, muscle and joint injections, and trigger point injections. Despite the differences in the medication, the general process is very similar. First, the source of pain must be identified, which is done through diagnostic methods such as physical examination, an overview of medical and family history, and diagnostic imaging like X-rays and MRIs. To prepare, the patient is positioned comfortably and the area surrounding the injection site is sterilized. A local anesthetic may be used near the injection site to numb the surrounding skin and tissue. Imaging techniques like fluoroscopy or ultrasound may be utilized to help guide the injection, ensuring that the target area is reached. Medication administration is then carried out, which may include a combination of anesthetics and steroids. While anesthetics can instantly relieve pain by preventing pain signals from reaching the brain from the nerves, corticosteroids are able to reduce inflammation and provide long-term pain relief. Post-injection, the patient may experience feelings of soreness or discomfort near the site of the injection, but they are typically quick to resolve. The response and effectiveness of the medication may vary person-to-person, so the results will be closely monitored. Some people may require additional injections to follow up, while others may need an alternative method of pain management. Through targeting the source of pain, interventional pain injections can reduce inflammation, pain, and chronic pain.

Interventional pain injections can be used to treat many conditions, especially those involving chronic or acute pain. For example, treatable conditions can range from joint and muscle pain to chronic migraines. In addition, different types of pain injections may be designed to treat specific conditions, so the condition being treated will determine the medication used. Some commonly treated conditions include neck, shoulder, arm, back, buttock, or leg pain, small joint pain in the spine, back and neck pain, spine fracture pain, muscle stiffness, headaches and migraines, nerve impingement, arthritis, joint pain, and facet syndrome. If you think your pain may be treatable with interventional pain injections, you should consult your provider to learn more about which pain management options are right for you.

The length of time pain injections will last will vary depending on several contributing factors, including the type of medication used, the condition being treated, and the response of the individual. For example, steroid injections tend to last longer than anesthesia injections. The following lists several types of pain injections along with their approximate duration:

· Epidural steroid injections may provide relief for several weeks to several months.
· Facet joint injections, selective nerve root blocks, sacroiliac joint injections, and sympathetic nerve blocks tend to last a few weeks to several months.
· Trigger point injections last slightly shorter, around a few weeks to a few months.
· Nerve blocks will usually only last a few days to a few months.

It is important to note that with many of these injections, the pain relief may be extended with additional injections or when used in combination with other medications. Pain injections are only part of the solution, as other measures should be taken in addition to treat long-term management. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.