Epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a medical treatment that involves injecting corticosteroid medication near the spinal cord to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
The injection targets areas such as the back, neck, arms, or legs.
ESI is administered under local anesthesia and with the assistance of imaging techniques to ensure accurate placement.
The procedure is typically brief and can provide pain relief for a certain duration.
Potential risks of ESI include infection and nerve damage.
It is crucial to have a discussion with your doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of undergoing an ESI before making a decision.
Facet radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a medical treatment used to alleviate pain in the back, neck, or joints, typically caused by conditions like arthritis.
The procedure involves placing a small electrode in the joint using imaging techniques such as X-rays.
The electrode emits a high-frequency electrical current that disrupts the pain signals transmitted by the nerves in the joint.
Facet RFA can provide pain relief for several months to a year or longer. The procedure is usually conducted in an outpatient setting, and anesthesia may be administered for comfort.
While the risks associated with facet RFA are generally low, they may include bleeding, infection, or nerve damage.
It is important to have a discussion with your healthcare provider to understand the potential benefits and risks of the procedure and determine its suitability for you.
Iliac crest stem cell harvest is a medical procedure that involves extracting a small amount of bone marrow from the hip bone to collect stem cells.
Stem cells are versatile cells capable of developing into various cell types in the body.
The harvested stem cells can be utilized for different medical treatments, including bone marrow transplants and regenerative medicine for specific diseases and injuries.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia, and a needle is used to obtain a bone marrow sample from the hip bone.
The collected sample is then processed in a laboratory to isolate the stem cells.
Stem cells derived from the iliac crest can be used to treat certain blood disorders and assist in the healing of bone and tissue injuries.
It is crucial to have a discussion with a doctor to understand the risks and benefits associated with the procedure and determine its suitability for a specific condition.
Sacroiliac joint ablation is a medical procedure used to treat pain in the lower back, buttocks, or legs caused by issues with the sacroiliac joint.
The procedure involves placing a small device near the affected nerve and using radio waves to generate heat and disrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Sacroiliac joint ablation can provide long-lasting relief from pain in the affected areas.
The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting and may involve sedation or local anesthesia for comfort.
Risks associated with sacroiliac joint ablation are generally low, but there is a slight possibility of bleeding, infection, or nerve damage.
It is important to have a discussion with your healthcare provider to understand the potential benefits and risks of the procedure and determine its appropriateness for your condition.
Stem cell treatment of the disc and facet joint is a medical procedure that utilizes stem cells to facilitate the healing of damaged tissue in the spine.
Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell types required for tissue repair.
The treatment involves injecting stem cells into the damaged area of the spine.
The purpose of the injection is to aid the body in repairing the damaged tissue and alleviate pain.
Stem cell treatment aims to harness the regenerative potential of stem cells to promote healing in the disc and facet joint.
This procedure can potentially offer a non-surgical alternative for addressing spinal tissue damage and associated pain.
The effectiveness and suitability of stem cell treatment for specific individuals may vary, and it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if it is an appropriate option.
Facet joint arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that fuses two vertebrae together in the spine to provide stability and limit movement in the facet joint.
The facet joints are located on either side of the vertebrae and contribute to spine movement.
During the surgery, the surgeon makes an incision over the affected area and removes the cartilage lining the facet joint.
The joint is then prepared for fusion by roughening the bone surface and adding a bone graft.
Metal plates or screws may be used to assist in holding the bones together during the healing process.
As the bone graft integrates with the surrounding bone, it creates a solid mass that stabilizes the spine.
Facet joint arthrodesis is typically performed to address conditions like spinal instability or degenerative disc disease, which can result in pain and restricted mobility in the spine.
After the surgery, patients may require a brace for spinal support during the healing period.
Physical therapy may be recommended to aid in recovery and rehabilitation.
Facet joint arthrodesis is a commonly performed procedure that can effectively alleviate pain and enhance spinal stability.
Laminotomy is a surgical procedure performed to alleviate pressure on spinal nerves caused by the compression of the bony arch protecting the spinal cord and nerves.
The surgeon makes a small incision in the back and removes a portion of the bone arch to create more space for the nerves.
The aim is to alleviate symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.
Laminotomy can be performed on any part of the spine and is typically conducted under general anesthesia.
The duration of hospital stay may vary based on the extent of the procedure.
After the surgery, patients may be required to wear a brace or undergo physical therapy to aid in the recovery process.
Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a surgical procedure used to address lower back pain and instability caused by spinal conditions.
The surgeon makes a small incision on the side of the abdomen and inserts a tube to access the affected disc.
The damaged disc is removed, and a bone graft is placed in the empty disc space. In some cases, a metal implant may also be used to promote stability and new bone growth.
The oblique approach utilized in OLIF helps minimize damage to surrounding muscles and nerves, resulting in faster recovery and reduced pain.
Post-surgery, patients may be required to wear a brace and undergo physical therapy to aid in their recovery.
OLIF is commonly performed to treat various spinal conditions, including degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis.
Sacroiliac joint fusion is a surgical procedure performed to address pain and instability in the lower back at the junction of the spine and pelvis.
The surgeon removes damaged cartilage from the sacroiliac joint and introduces bone graft material to promote new bone growth.
Metal screws or other devices are used to stabilize the joint while the new bone fuses the joint together permanently.
The objective is to reduce pain and enhance stability in the sacroiliac joint.
This procedure is commonly employed to treat chronic lower back pain resulting from conditions such as degenerative arthritis, inflammation, or sacroiliac joint injury.
Following the surgery, patients may require temporary use of crutches or a walker and engage in physical therapy to aid in the recovery process.
Total disc arthroplasty, or artificial disc replacement, is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged intervertebral disc in the spine with an artificial disc.
The procedure aims to alleviate pain and maintain mobility in the affected area of the spine.
The surgeon accesses the damaged disc by making an incision in the front or side of the neck or back.
The damaged disc is removed, and a synthetic disc is implanted in its place. The synthetic disc is designed to replicate the movement and function of a healthy disc.
Patients may require a brace to support the spine during the healing process, and physical therapy may be recommended for recovery and rehabilitation.
Total disc arthroplasty offers a less invasive alternative to spinal fusion, which permanently fuses vertebrae together. It may be suitable for patients with specific spinal conditions.
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a surgical procedure performed to address lower back pain and instability caused by disc-related issues in the spine.
During TLIF, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and replaces it with bone graft material to facilitate the growth of new bone.
In some cases, a metal implant may be used to provide additional stability.
The goal of TLIF is to stabilize the spine and alleviate pain.
Following the surgery, patients may be required to wear a brace to support the healing spine.
Physical therapy is often recommended to aid in the recovery process.
TLIF is a commonly performed procedure to treat various spinal conditions, including degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis.