Treating pain can be simple or complex requiring an office evaluation with a proper diagnosis prior to proceeding with treatment. Unremitting sciatica can often be treated with conservative medical management such as physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. However, after six weeks if the pain does not subside an epidural steroid injection may be the treatment of choice. The vast majority of patients respond and return to full functional activity.
On occasion the pain persists and other techniques are required to adequately manage the pain. By assessing the whole person the goal of treatment is to reduce pain, improve function and return one to activities of daily living. By tailoring the treatment regimen we incorporate a multi modality approach utilizing when necessary interventional procedures, pain medication management, psychological counseling, physical and alternative therapies.
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Interventional procedures are most commonly performed when there is a structure in the body, like a herniated disc with a nerve supply which is causing pain. Our goal is to target the source of the pain with a precise injection of medication so that we can diagnose the source of the problem and then treat the problem.
To do a precise injection we use fluoroscopy (low dose live x-ray). The use of fluoroscopy ensures that the needle is placed exactly where we want it to be, so that the medication only reaches the targeted area and only that area. With the use of accurate minimally invasive procedures, we are able to maximize the chance of a successful outcome for our patients and reduce the number of injections.
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