PERSONAL INJURY

Celiac Plexus Block – Injection of local anesthetic into or around the celiac plexus of nerves that surrounds the aorta, the main artery in the abdomen. Usually these nerves control basic nerve functions. In certain conditions, these nerves can carry pain information from the gut or abdominal organ tissues back to the spinal cord and brain.

Discogram – Procedure in which x-ray dye or contrast material is injected into the discs of the spine. After the x-ray dye is injected, an x-ray, called a discogram, is taken of the discs. The discogram may be normal or may show tears, fissures or other damage to the disc. The results of a discogram are used to plan treatment of the disc itself.

Epidural Injection – Injection of long lasting steroid and occasionally some other medications into the area that surrounds the spinal cord and the nerves coming out of it. The epidural space is just inside the spinal canal and extends from the neck to the base of the tailbone.

Facet Injections – Injections of medications into the Facet Joints. Facet joints are located between each set of vertebrae in the spine from the neck to the tailbone. Facet joints allow each vertebra to move against the vertebra just above and just below it.

Intercostal Nerve Block – Injection of a steroid or other medication around the Intercostal Nerves to reduce the pain associated with the inflammation and/or swelling of tissue around the ribs or in the chest wall.

Intrathecal Infusion Pump – also known as the Spinal Infusion Pump is a specialized device, which sends concentrated amounts of medication into the spinal fluid space via a small catheter.

Lumbar Sympathetic Block – Injection of local anesthetic into or around the sympathetic nerves, located on either side of spine, in the lower back. Typically these nerves control basic functions like regulating blood flow.

Nucleoplasty Therapy – A newly developed technique for the treatment of pain coming from a spinal disc. A special probe is inserted into the spinal disc and is used to remove a small amount of disc tissue from the disc nucleus and then to applied controlled thermal energy or heat to the disc. This causes the pressure within the disc wall to decrease and allows the disc to bulge or protrude less.

Occipital Nerve Block – Injection of a steroid or other medication around the occipital nerves, located on the back of the head just above the neck. Typically, headaches over the back of the head, including certain types of tension headaches and migraine headaches, may respond to occipital nerve blocks.

Radiofrequency Ablation – Procedure using radio waves or electric current to generate ample heat to interrupt nerve conduction on a semi-permanent basis. The nerves are usually blocked for 6-9 months, although it may last as short as 3 months or as long at 18 months or longer.

Sacroiliac Injection – Injection of a steroid or other medication into a sacroiliac joint, located on either side or the sacrum or tailbone. These joints connect the tailbone to the pelvis.

Spinal Cord Stimulator – Device that stimulates the spinal cord and spinal nerves by tiny electrical impulses via a small electrical wire placed behind and just outside the spinal cord in the epidural space.

Stellate Ganglion Block – Injection of a local anesthetic in the sympathetic nerve tissue of the neck. The nerves are located on either side of the voice box, in the neck.

Transforaminal Injection – Injection of long acting steroid into the opening at the side of the spine where a nerve roots exits. These injections are also referred to as Root Sleeve Blocks, Root Blocks or Transforaminal Epidural Blocks.

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty – Spinal procedure where bone cement is injected through a small hole in the skin into fractured vertebra with the objective of relieving the pain compression fractures.