Pain Relief Procedures and Treatments in Austin, Kyle, San Marcos and Dripping Springs

Allogeneic Disc Injections are an intervertebral disc injection made up of allogeneic nucleus pulposus, the material normally found inside the disc. The goal of this therapy is to rehydrate discs that are worn out, helping to restore the normal structure. This in turn can help improve discogenic low back pain.

Basivertebral nerve ablation, or the Intracept procedure, is a minimally invasive treatment for specific low back pain. It involves inserting a cannula into the affected vertebra and applying radiofrequency heat to the nerve, which damages the nerve and blocks pain signals from that area.

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation is a targeted form of treatment designed to treat nerve related pain, commonly from prior surgery or an injury that happened and has now resulted in pain. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation works by using electrical impulses from electrodes placed near the large nerves just prior to the nerves entering the spinal cord, to help block the pain signals that travel on those nerves on their path to the brain. By interfering with these nerve impulses, patients experience reduced pain.

Epidural injections are a non-surgical option for intense back pain. The procedure involves delivering pain relieving medications directly to or near the source of the pain in the spine during a short outpatient procedure. Epidural injections can be very effective for some people and may be repeated over time. For some, physical rehabilitation is possible once the pain has been relieved.

Facet joints are small joints at each segment of the spine that provides stability and guide motion. A cervical, thoracic, or lumbar facet joint injection can anesthetize the facet joints and block pain. Facet joint injections can help diagnose the cause and location of pain as well as provide pain relief.

Medial branch blocks are an injection of medication on the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. This procedure is diagnostic and if the patient experiences pain relief for a certain amount of time, then s/he maybe a candidate for radiofrequency ablation.

Occipital nerve blocks inject steroid or other medication around the greater/lesser occipital nerves located on the back of the head, above the neck area. Occipital nerve blocks can help treat occipital neuralgia and chronic headaches that arise from the neck.

An Indirect Spinal Decompression, also known as “the Minuteman Procedure,” is a procedure to treat symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy (pain that radiates into the lower extremities), disc degeneration and spinal stenosis.

Joint injections such as corticosteroid, platelet rich plasma, and other medications can be injected into the site of joint pain to provide relief to osteoarthritis and pain symptoms. The corticosteroid or PRP can help reduce inflammation of the joints and relieve pain in that area. Relief can typically last for several months.

Ketamine infusion therapy is used to help treat chronic pain, depression, and migraines that has not responded to other treatment methods. During this hour-long treatment, ketamine is administered through an IV while our healthcare professionals monitor your vitals.

Kyphoplasty is a procedure that helps treat a spinal/compression fracture. During the kyphoplasty, a special balloon is inserted using fluoroscopy guidance. The balloon is inflated, which allows the fracture to be elevated and compacts the inner bone to create a cavity inside the vertebrae.

The balloon is removed and the cavity is filled with a cement-like material. This hardens quickly and allows for the bone to stabilize. This procedure can be done in an outpatient setting and reduction/elimination of pain can be immediate or within a couple of days.

A minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) procedure, is a procedure to treat symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. It is performed on an outpatient basis and only a small incision is made to perform the MILD procedure. This procedure is an alternative to more invasive surgeries such as a lumbar laminectomy or fusion. During a MILD procedure, your doctor will use instruments inserted through a small scope to remove pieces of the ligament overlying the spinal cord and nerves, creating more space in the spine for the nerves.

A Peripheral Nerve Stimulator is an outpatient procedure where a small electrical device is implanted near a damaged nerve to interrupt pain signals. Peripheral nerves are nerves found outside of the brain and spinal cord. Frequent areas that are treated are the shoulders and knees. Other areas that can be treated include the hips, ribs/chest, wrist and ankles, but peripheral nerve stimulation can be used to treat almost any area of pain.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections – Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a non-operative therapy that takes advantage of platelets’ wound healing properties. Blood consists of liquid (plasma) and solid (platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells) components.
‍
Platelets contain growth factors that give them their healing properties. Blood is first drawn from the patient, then the platelets are separated from the other blood cells by centrifugation. The increased concentration of platelets is then combined with the plasma. This “platelet rich plasma” is then injected into the injured or painful area and is thought to speed up the healing process.

Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure where an electrical current is used to heat up a small area of nerve tissue thereby decreasing the pain signals from that area. Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat pain in the lower back or the sacroiliac joints. Medial branch or facet joint injections are usually done prior to a radiofrequency ablation.

The human body has amazing regenerative capabilities. By using the body’s own cells and advanced scientific techniques, Dr. Silberberg and his team can help you manage your pain through regenerative medicine. It’s important to speak to a medical professional before beginning a regenerative procedure, but the results will absolutely be worth your time.

SI Fusion is a minimally invasive approach to SI Joint Fusion used to treat chronic pain resulting from dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. A small device is placed into the sacroiliac joint through a scope, and this device helps promote the natural fusion of the joint. With reduced movement in the joint from the fusion, patients recognize significant relief.

Spinal cord stimulation uses mild electrical pulses to interfere with pain signals reaching the brain. A small device is implanted near the spine and generates these pulses. A patient that is considered a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation is scheduled for a trial run.

The device is not initially implanted in the body, but the wires are inserted and an external transmitter sends the pulses. After a successful trial a small generator is placed discreetly under the skin and allows the patient control over their relief.

Sports medicine was initially developed to help professional athletes prevent and manage their injuries, while also helping them to improve essential performance factors like conditioning and pain management. At the Greater Austin Pain Center, we don’t just focus on the health and wellbeing of elite athletes, we use our knowledge and expertise in sports medicine to help all of our clients who want to enjoy physical activities. Whether you like to take an occasional jog or are a dedicated marathon runner, we can help you stay healthy and prepared with our sports medicine services and treatments.

Stellate Ganglion Block – the stellate ganglion is a group of nerves at the base of the front of the neck, on both sides of the voice box. The stellate ganglion regulates involuntary sympathetic nervous functions like sweating, blood flow, pain in the head/neck/upper chest/upper arms.

The injection blocks nerve signals to relieve pain and help increase circulation. The stellate ganglion blocks can help pain caused by complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb pain, and shingles.

Ganglion Impar Block – the ganglion impar is a group of nerves located at the sacrococcygeal junction and the injections are used to treat perineal pain and coccydynia. The ganglion impar block can be helpful in treating pain from the perineum, distal rectum, distal vaginal, distal urethra, and anus.

Lumbar Sympathetic Block – lumbar sympatehtic block is an injection of medication into/around the sympathetic nerves located on the lumbar spine. The lumbar sympathetic ganglia send pain signals from buttocks, legs and feet to the brain. This nerve block is effective in treating complex regional pain syndrome, neuropathy, phantom limb pain, postherpetic neuralgia, etc.

A trigger point is a small area in a muscle that is very sensitive to touch, often causing intense pain. Injury, overexertion, muscle tension, and muscle spasms are common causes of these trigger points. They most frequently occur in the neck, back, and shoulders. Injections can relax muscles and relieve pain by delivering medications directly to the trigger point.

Vertiflex Superion is a small, FDA-approved spacer that helps treat chronic pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. Made from 100% titanium, the interspinous spacer is implanted between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae to widen the spinal canal and neuroforamen. With a Vertiflex Superion implant in place, patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis can improve function and relieve pain.

Viscosupplementation therapy is a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. When bones begin to degenerate and synovial fluid (a natural shock absorber and lubricant) starts to dissipate, painful arthritic symptoms can follow. You may begin to notice knee pain, stiffness, and problems with walking or stair climbing.