We at ReGen use a variety of interventional procedures to treat pain. Guidance from X-ray or ultrasound imaging helps us deliver the therapy to the exact source of your pain. This works whether we’re using steroid injections or heat-based remedies. For the most part, we perform these minimally invasive procedures right in our offices. Dr. Koning will design a treatment plan specific to meet your individual needs. He will strive to give you the most pain relief possible.
Our interventional treatment options include the following:
Epidural steroid injections help treat irritated spinal nerve roots that cause pain in your neck, shoulders, arms, upper and lower back, buttocks, or legs. Many conditions can cause this type of pain, such as herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. X-ray guidance helps us inject low doses of long-lasting corticosteroids (potent anti-inflammatory pain medications) directly into the source of the pain. This approach decreases inflammation and helps you feel better. These procedures can be done in about five minutes, either using local anesthesia or comfortable IV sedation.
Medial branch blocks/facet joint injections are injections, which are performed using X-ray guidance, that help diagnose and treat pain that comes from the small joints of the spine (known as facet joints). Disease in these joints, including arthritis, can cause pain in the head, neck, upper and lower back, and buttocks. These procedures take about five minutes using either local anesthesia or comfortable IV sedation.
Radiofrequency nerve ablations help treat back and neck pain. Using radiofrequency nerve ablation under X-ray guidance, precisely controlled heat is delivered to temporarily and selectively disable nerves responsible for pain. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, using either local anesthesia or comfortable IV sedation.
Major joint injections help relieve pain from many causes, including osteoarthritis. Medications such as corticosteroids, local anesthetics, or hyaluronan (i.e., Synvisc, Hyalgan, orthovisc) are injected directly into the source of the pain. To find the precise right location, either X-rays or ultrasound is utilized. This procedure takes about two minutes.
Occipital nerve blocks help treat headaches, including migraines. A local anesthetic with or without a small dose of corticosteroid is injected into the back of your head, near the greater and lesser occipital nerves. This procedure takes about 30 seconds.
Kyphoplasty (balloon kyphoplasty) is useful if your pain stems from a spine fracture (such as vertebral compression fractures). A small balloon is inserted through an incision in the back to the site of the injury. Then it is slowly inflated to gently push any damaged bone back into place. Finally, cement is inserted into the site to hold the bone in proper position. This procedure is done using both local anesthesia and IV sedation.
Muscle and trigger point injections under ultrasound guidance help relieve pain from conditions such as neck pain, lower back spasms, and tennis elbow. Using ultrasound imaging as a guide, a small needle is inserted under the skin directly into the source of your pain. This injection contains a local anesthetic and a low dose of steroid. The procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy allows use of the healing capabilities of your own blood to reduce your pain and help you heal from soft tissue injuries, such as ligament and tendon injuries. Plasma is the part of your blood that carries red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In this procedure, a small amount of your blood is taken and the platelets are separated out using a centrifuge. This concentrate is then injected into your injured tendon or cartilage, guided by ultrasound images. Within about six weeks, you should notice improved function and less pain.
