|
|
 |
 |
Invasive pain management techniques
Invasive techniques in pain management involve invasion of instruments and devices into the body. However, pain management should be distinguished from surgery, which involves a greater degree of surgical insult and permanent alteration of tissue than other invasive pain management techniques.
A multitude of invasive pain management therapies have been used to treat neuromusculoskeletal and in particular spine, large joint and extremity pain back pain. Some of the most popular include:
Injections—direct delivery of steroids or anesthetics to nerve, joint or epidural space. Injections into the facet, peripheral nerve, “trigger point” and other locations are also known as “blocks”. These may provide relief of pain (often temporary) and can be used to confirm diagnosis. Epidural injections provide significant relief for severe neuromusculoskeletal and in particular back and radiating leg and arm pain.
Prolotherapy—injection of solution to stimulate blood circulation and ligament repair at affected site. The effectiveness of this technique is not known.
Surgically implanted electrotherapy devices—implantable spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and implantable peripheral nerve stimulators. Clinical data offers inconclusive findings on the effectiveness of SCS.
Implantable opioid infusion pumps—surgically implanted pumps that deliver opioid agents directly to affected nerve. The appropriateness and effectiveness of these devices for treating chronic pain is controversial.
Radiofrequency radioablation—deadening of painful nerve via heat produced by a specialized device. The efficacy of this treatment is mixed.
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Current as of
February 6, 2012
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
