Pain Injections

Question 1

Medial Branch Block

Answer 1

Spinal injection used to temporarily block the pain signals coming from the medial nerve.

Question 2

Medial nerves

Answer 2

Run through the facet joints in the spine that allow for movement.

Question 3

Facet joints

Answer 3

There are facet joints at each vertebral level, one on each side of the spine. These joints provide flexibility (allow the spine to turn or bend with movement) and stability (prevent excessive motion).

Question 4

Stellgate ganglion block

Answer 4

Injection of medication into these nerves that relieve pain in the head, neck, upper arm and chest.

Question 5

RFA

Answer 5

Radio Frequency Ablation

aka Radio Frequency Neurotomy

Uses radio frequency waves to create a current that heats a small area of nerve tissue. The heat destroys that area of the nerve, stopping it from sending pain signals to your brain.Pain relief for your lower back, neck and arthritic joint pain.

Treats:
Arthritis of the spine (Spondylosis) and sacroiliac joint pain

Neck, back and knee pain

Question 6

Genicular Nerve Block

Answer 6

Temporarily blocks the nerve signal in the knee.

Genicular nerves knee joint branch nerves: femoral, common peroneal, saphenous, tibial and obturator nerves.

Question 7

Spinal cord stimulator

Answer 7

Implanted device that sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal cord to relieve pain.

Electrodes = wires
Generator = pacemaker battery

Question 8

Stereostatic Radiofrequency SRS

Answer 8

Precise form of therapeutic radiation to treat abnormalities in the brain and spine. Does not involve incision. Beams of xray aimed at abnormal tissue.

Question 9

Epidural

Answer 9

Injection into epidural space

Question 10

Intra-articular injection

Answer 10

Shot placed directly into a joint to relieve pain.

Question 11

Paravertebral block

Answer 11

Targets spinal and sympathetic nerves.

Paravertebral: Wedge shaped space on either side of vertebral column.