Advanced Interventional Procedures

Advanced interventional procedures using fluoroscopy guidance:
 

1. Provocative Discography – Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar
   This procedure is performed to determine whether pain is originating from the intervertebral discs.
    
2. Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation Neuroablation (RF)
   RF is used as a safe way to interrupt pain signals in a patient’s head, neck or back and treat chronic pain. This procedure works to disrupt pain signals using continuous radiofrequency current. It works on select nerve fibers, reducing pain in targeted areas. It does not kill the nerve but rather stuns the nerve so it won’t conduct painful impulses.
    
3. Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
   For patients who experience compression fractures of their vertebrae from osteoporosis or cancer, tumors or trauma, percutaneous vertebroplasty offers a less invasive alternative treatment. Pain associated with this health condition can severely limit their activities and reduce their quality of life.
   
   Percutaneous Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens and repairs the weakened bone of the vertebrae and, thereby, reduces pain. For more information on percutaneous vertebroplasty, visit www.vertebroplasty.com.
    
4. Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
   Nerve stimulation is a proven, alternative to repeated back surgery, medication or other therapies. It can give patients pain relief and can reduce or eliminate the need for pain medications and additional invasive surgical procedures.
   
   Nerve stimulation, which works in the area where pain signals travel, is a process where electric impulses are directed to cover specific sites where a patient is feeling pain. This treatment delivers precisely controlled, mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord or to a peripheral nerve through a small device that is surgically implanted. The electrical impulses are delivered through a lead (small medical wire).
   
   For more information about nerve stimulation therapy, visit www.medtronic.com or www.ans.medical.com.
    
5. Intrathecal Drug Delivery
   Intrathecal drug delivery is an alternative for patients who experience chronic pain. It allows them to improve their quality of life and participate more fully in life by reducing pain and providing comfort.
   
   With the intrathecal drug delivery system, medication is delivered directly into the intrathecal space (the area surrounding the spinal cord) via a small pump and catheter which are surgically placed. Because the medication is delivered directly where pain signals travel, the intrathecal drug delivery offers significant pain control with a fraction of the dose that would be required with pills.
   
   For more information about intrathecal drug delivery, visit www.medtronic.com.
    
6. Percutaneous Lysis of Spinal Adhesions – Racz Procedure

Racz Procedure- A minimally invasive, percutaneous intervention for treating chronic spinal pain often due to scarring after post lumbar surgery syndrome, most commonly the result of invasive back surgery.   Racz can also be a treatment for low back and radicular pain resulting from spinal stenosis, a common disease of aging.