Customized solutions are available for pain treatment at Jacksonville in Spine Center. A multi-disciplinary team works together with patients and referring physicians to provide minimally invasive pain treatment. Relief of chronic and acute pain can significantly improve the quality of life for patients. The comprehensive process begins with an evaluation. That includes an interview with the patient to determine the onset of pain, symptoms, tests completed, medications tried, therapies and exercises used, and a complete medical history.
Next are testing and diagnosis. That may include a physical examination, X-rays, ultrasounds, and a demonstration of painful movements. This step may take some time because there are many causes of back pain that may or may not start at the spine. Pain that begins in the hip, leg, shoulders, or head can be the source of back pain.
Once a diagnosis has been determined, treatment begins at the Spine Center. Specialization at the nine locations of the Jacksonville in Spine Center include chronic pain education and management, pharmacological pain treatment when necessary, and minimally invasive procedures or, in severe cases, minimally invasive surgery. Treatment may begin with heat, rest, exercises, stretching, physical therapy, or massage. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to reduce swelling and pressure.
Steroid injections may be used, as well as facet joint injections. These are done on an outpatient basis, and either an ultrasound machine or a fluoroscopic tool is used for guidance. Thar ensures the accuracy of the injection. A local anesthetic is used, and the patient may experience soreness, swelling, or burning at the injection site.
Another method of treatment is radiofrequency neurotomy. That procedure disrupts medial branch nerves that carry pain signals to the cervical or lower lumber region. A cannula is inserted first, and an electrode is inserted into the cannula. The electrode heats and cauterizes the nerve or nerves, and then the electrode and cannula are removed. Patients can expect the pain to increase immediately after the procedure, but only for a short time, such as a few days or up to one week. Most patients are pain-free within one month after having the procedure completed.
