Procedures Offered

Here is just a list of some of the procedures performed at East End Pain Management

caudal/cervical Epidural steroid injection

The  goal of the steroids is to reduce inflammation, swelling, and scarring that arise as a consequence of nerve irritation. This nerve irritation may be a result of a disc (herniated or ruptured) , scarring around a nerve root, or a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis). Not only mechanical trauma cause nerve irritation but also the disc material itself can cause nerve inflammation (ruptured or “leaking” disc). The steroids also inactivate some of these irritating substances. Medications and physical therapy modalities may be used in conjunction with treatments.  

Caudal Indication
Main indications are herniated disc, spinal stenosis, previous back surgery, a slipped vertebra, and scoliosis. All of these conditions are associated with extremity and/or back pain.

Cervical Indication
Main indications are herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative changes of the discs, a slipped vertebra, and scoliosis. All of these conditions are associated with extremity and/or neck pain.

diagnostic cervical/lumbar facet nerve block

The goal of this treatment is to definitively determine the origin of persistent neck or lower back pain. With the origin pinpointed it allows more precision in future treatment.

Cervical Indication
Main indication is to make a diagnosis in patients with neck and/or shoulder pain. This condition is usually associated to arthritis or trauma (whiplash injury /rotation injury). This block can also be used as a predictive tool, prior to denervating the joint (radiofrequency), or before performing a spinal fusion.

Lumbar Indication
Main indication is to make a diagnosis in patients with lower back, buttocks and/or posterior aspect of thigh pain. This condition is usually associated to arthritis or trauma (whiplash injury /rotation injury). This block can also be used as a predictive tool, prior to denervating the joint (radiofrequency), or before performing a spinal fusion.

joint/bursa infiltration

The goal of this procedure is to reduce inflammation of the joint.

Indication
Any joint can be a source of  pain with secondary limited range of motion. Joint pain may be due to direct injury, degenerative arthritis, occupational activity, or weakening of the muscles/ligaments that support the joint. Physical therapy may be used in conjunction to strengthen the muscles and improve range of motion.  

Percutaneous Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive, image-guided, procedure used to treat the pain associated with vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis and metastatic tumors.  During vertebroplasty, one or two bone needles are inserted into the collapsed vertebra through a small incision in the patient's back; the stylet is removed and a balloon is placed into the vertebra and gradually inflated to reduce the fracture. A specially formulated acrylic bone cement is injected through the cannula to stabilize the fracture. The procedure typically requires a local anesthetic; conscious sedation is sometimes helpful, depending on the patient's condition.

Indication
Main indication is pain associated with a vertebral fracture.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a medical therapy for people who suffer from certain types of chronic pain. SCS uses a small implanted device to generate tiny electrical pulses that replace the feeling of pain with a tingling or massaging sensation. The objective with this therapy is to reduce your pain to a manageable level. You will not be able to have an MRI while having the stimulator. The unit may be removed later if needed.

Indication
Main indication is for people who have had previous had spinal surgeries and pain did not resolve. The second indication is for patients who are not good candidates. spine surgery.