Pain Relieving Procedures

What are Pain Relieving Procedures?

Pain relieving procedures are to provide temporary or prolonged relief from pain or inflammation in your joints or back.

Imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT), may be used to help the Radiologist place the needle in exactly the right location so you can receive maximum benefit from the injection.

The goal of a pain relief injection is to "turn off" a pain signal coming from a specific location in the body or to decrease inflammation in that area.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Using fluoroscopic guidance, the Radiologist will numb the area and then place a needle into the epidural space around the spinal nerves and spinal cord. Placement is confirmed by the Radiologist by injecting a small amount of x-ray contrast dye. Then, a steroid mixed with sterile saline is instilled through that needle. This decreases inflammation and swelling, often resulting in long term pain relief that may delay or remove the need for spinal surgery.

Nerve Root Block

Using fluoroscopic guidance the Radiologist will numb the area and then slowly advance a needle to the level of the targeted spinal nerve. A small amount of x-ray contrast may be injected to confirm appropriate location, followed by injections of a local anesthetic and steroid through that needle. This is done for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Joint Injection

Using fluoroscopic guidance the Radiologist will numb the area and then slowly advance a needle into the joint space. A small amount of x-ray contrast may be injected to confirm appropriate needle placement and then an injection of local anesthetic and steroid will be administered through that needle

Facet Injection

Using fluoroscopic guidance, the Radiologist will numb the area and then slowly advance a needle into the facet joint your doctor has specified. A small amount of contrast may be injected to confirm appropriate needle placement and then an injection of local anesthetic and steroid will be administered through that needle.

Hip Injection

Using fluoroscopic guidance the Radiologist will numb the area and then slowly advance a needle into the hip joint. A small amount of x-ray contrast may be injected to confirm appropriate needle placement and then an injection of local anesthetic and steroid will be administered through that needle. If you have a referral for bilateral (both) hip injections, they will need to be scheduled on separate days.

Schedule an Appointment!

Has your doctor given you an order or referral for this procedure? Call SSR’s Scheduling Specialists at 360-493-4646 to schedule an appointment. Or, click here for additional information regarding scheduling an appointment.

More Information?

For more information about these and other procedures, visit RadiologyInfo.org.