Chronic pain is a common problem afflicting the senior population, and over 17% of Valdosta’s population are older than 50. If you are suffering from chronic pain, it may be difficult for you to sit down and relax without the fear of having a lot of pain.
Fortunately, different procedures can help with managing your pain. Hence it’s best to visit experts specializing in pain management Valdosta if you have related issues.
Epidural Injections
Epidural injections are designed to provide immediate pain relief. They are intended for shoulder, arm, leg, or lower back pain patients. However, they will not be effective for those who suffer from neuropathic pain (pain caused by damage to the nerves) or muscle injury.
The epidural injection is done in an outpatient setting. You can go home immediately after the procedure. Your surgeon will inject a numbing medication in the back to make you less aware of pain. The injection is given near the nerves that are causing your discomfort.
Medial Branch Blocks
Medial Branch Blocks are designed to give temporary pain relief. They are used for neck, arm, or upper back pain patients. These procedures require an injection of numbing medication near the nerves that cause the pain.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections use a combination of numbing and steroid medications. These injections can work for days to months, depending on the medication used and where you get the injection done. Trigger point injections are typically given in the upper thighs, hip, lower back, or neck.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This procedure delivers high-frequency energy to nerve roots in the neck. The goal here is to block pain signals from reaching your brain. Radiofrequency Ablation can also be combined with other procedures like trigger point injections and medial branch blocks.
The procedure is performed by inserting a needle through the skin and targeting small nerves in the neck. This will help provide relief during the procedure and follow it.
Internal Cord Stimulation
This procedure is similar to Radiofrequency Ablation because it aims to block pain signals from reaching your brain. However, Internal Cord Stimulation targets small nerves deep within the body instead of the neck.
You can choose to receive an implantable device that delivers electrical impulses to the peripheral nerves. These devices are typically placed near the spinal cord and produce low-frequency electrical impulses.
The goal is to block pain signals from reaching your brain. These devices can last for up to five years, depending on how frequently you use them.
Knee Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat chronic pain in the knee. It involves inserting a small camera into the joint of your knee so that your surgeon can view it closely during surgery.
During this procedure, your Valdosta surgeon will be able to remove damaged cartilage, smooth out bumpy surfaces, or repair ligaments by stitching them back together. The goal of the procedure is to treat pain caused by damage or injury in your knee.
Wrapping Up
Ablation is usually done in an outpatient setting. You must follow all instructions of the specialist working in pain management in Valdosta to avoid infection or further injury. Patients can typically go home after the procedure has been done.