Spinal Procedures

Epidural Steroid injections

An epidural injection is the administration of medications into the epidural space. It is used to treat swelling, pain, and inflammation of the nerve roots, associated with herniated discs and radiculopathy (nerve irritation or injury). The medications used are steroid, which is anti-inflammatory, and numbing medications (local anesthetics).

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joints are small paired joints in the spine that become arthritic when the discs are degenerated., This is a common cause of back pain. Two types of procedures are performed for the facet joints. One is a direct injection into the joint, using steroid and numbing medications. The other is using numbing medications to block a nerve that innervates the joint, called the medial branch.

Medial Branch Blocks

Medial branch blocks are injections where numbing medications are placed on the medial nerves to temporarily block the pain involved in facet arthritis. If this is successful, a radiofrequency procedure could be performed to 'burn off' the nerves to provide long-term pain relief.

 

Intradiscal  Electrothermal Annuloplasty (IDET)

A physician inserts a needle into the disc and directs a wire (SpineCATH) into the disc while shooting x-rays for visualization and correct placement. The wire is heated for about 15 minutes to destroy the nerves in the disc that causes pain and denature the protein to make the herniated disc shrink. Approximately 700 patients have been treated with promising early results. The overall success rate in reducing pain is 60-75%.

Electrothermal Decompression (EDD)

A heating element is used to modify the protein wall of the disc and reduces the amount of disc material that causes nerve irritation. The procedure involves a special wire (decompression heating element) which is guided into your disc through a spinal needle. An x-ray is used to confirm the catheter placement in the disc. The disc is heated for a short period of time determined by the physician. The catheter and needle are removed, and you will be discharged home with specific instructions.
 

Percutaneous Discectomy (NUCLEOPLASTY)

The most advanced form of percutaneous discectomy developed to date is Nucleoplasty. During the procedure, a needle is inserted into the disc and a wire (the SpineWand) is placed into the center of the disc where a series of channels are created to remove tissue from the nucleus. With tissue removed from the disc, it decompresses the disc and relieves the pressure extended by the disc on the nearby nerve root. As pressure is relieved, pain is reduced, consistent with the clinical results of earlier percutaneous discectomy procedures.

Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (LASE)

During this procedure a needle is place into the disc and guides a small endoscope with laser fibers. The laser beam vaporizes a small portion of the disc for decompression. A suction tubing removes the vaporized disc. The physician visualizes the disc and laser beam with the endoscope. As the portion of the disc is removed, pressure is taken off the nerve roots, which were compressed by the bulging disc. The pain relief usually is immediate.

Call The Pain Treatment Center in Houston, Texas today to see how we can help you determine the best minimally-invasive spine treatment for your specific medical condition.

For appointments please call: 281-556-0001

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