Advanced Pain Therapies consist of minimally invasive techniques that attempt to stop pain signals from reaching the brain (where awareness occurs), reduce the intensity of the pain signals, or directly treat the condition causing the pain signals.
There are different types of Advanced Pain Therapies. One method to block pain signals is using electrical or chemical techniques. (Both directly interact with the nerves carrying the pain signals at different parts of the pathway).
Another method is to change structural (anatomy) problems causing the pain and dysfunction in a minimally invasive way (which can eliminate the need for standard surgery).
Advanced Pain Therapies are considered for those patients who suffer from painful chronic conditions such as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, chronic Radiculopathy, and other chronic neuropathic pain to name a few.
Electrical Stimulation
Different parts of the nerve pathways can be electrically stimulated in an attempt to change or stop the pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. The spinal cord and its nerves can be stimulated in a minimally invasive way by Spinal Cord Stimulation and Targeted Nerve Stimulation.
Intrathecal Therapy
Medications can be administered directly into the spinal fluid that bathes the nerves. This delivery avoids medications from entering the bloodstream. This method of treatment is direct to the pain nerves and avoids the rest of the nervous system and the body. This is Intrathecal Therapy.
Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
Different parts of the spinal canal and nerve canals can cause nerves to be compressed. This causes pain and the nerves to not function properly.
One way to treat this condition is with Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompresssion (MILD) technique. Another is the Superion Indirect Decompression technique.
Treatment for Vertebral Compression Fractures
Vertebral compression fractures can cause severe back pain and dysfunction. Natural recovery could take months for pain to subside. This lengthy recovery period can be significantly shortened by stabilization of the fractured vertebrae with a precise minimally invasive technique. The shape of the collapsed vertebrae can also be restored depending on the age of the fracture. These techniques are Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty.
Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniations
A herniated disc in the lumbar spine can cause inflammation or compression on the nerves. Both of these can cause pain in the back alone or with pain down the legs. Some herniated discs respond to a precisely injected steroid. Others need to be removed or reduced in size. There are minimally invasive techniques that can be used under certain specific conditions. Otherwise more traditional surgery may be necessary. One method that we perform is an endoscopic-assisted percutaneous discectomy, the Disc-FX technique.