Procedures

Epidural injections utilize electronic cell signaling and/or anti-inflammatory medications to decrease swelling and inflammation along the nerves and discs in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. By decreasing the inflammation and removing chemical mediators that cause back and sciatic pain symptoms resolve quickly. These are particularly helpful for mild to moderate disc protrusions.

We are the ONLY clinic in Las Vegas – and the pioneer for the entire country – to offer epidurals with potent anti-inflammatory potential without the need for using steroids which depress the immune system. (See Odell, RH., Sorgnard, RE. “Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Electronic Signal Treatment. Pain Physician (2008)”

There are two kinds of nerve blocks: 1. Central (transforaminal) epidural nerve root blocks, which target the level of the spine pain generator (the disc). 2. Peripheral nerve blocks which target the many sources of peripheral pain such as lateral hip, shoulder, and knee just to name a few.

Nerve blocks are frequently used by pain management specialists to diagnose the exact level from which the pain originates. They can also decrease inflammation around the nerve which will then remove the radicular or sciatic pain patients’ experience.

Radiofrequency Ablation is done to remove pain caused by many sources, including the facet joints in lumbar, cervical and thoracic regions of the spine, the sacroiliac joint, and even selected peripheral nerves; for example, the small facet joint. These small joints allow the spine to flex and extend. They can become inflamed or become arthritic. This causes the pain upon back motion. Radiofrequency is painless and allow the physician to burn the abnormal nerves which carry the painful signal from the damaged facets. We are one of the few clinics in Las Vegas using advanced RF needles which permit larger burn, more reliable and successful results, and longer lasting lesions.

This technique is for the treatment of chronic low back and sciatic pain. A small implant is placed along the epidural region. Electrical impulses produce a pleasant sensation and the frequency blocks the low back or sciatic pain. This small device is controlled by the patient.

Posterior Epidural stimulation is a proven therapy that offers meaningful relief from both chronic back and leg pain. This well established procedure delivers mild electrical impulses safely to the spinal cord helping to calm the nerves and interrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

HF10 therapy gives you the opportunity to try the system prior to receiving a permanent device, allowing you to assess its effectiveness in managing your pain. The trial system is placed in the your back using a simple, outpatient procedure and the procedure is completely reversible. One or more thin wires (leads) will be placed in your back. The leads will connect to a temporary device that you can wear on your belt or under your clothes. The system is customized for your pain. Over a period of 5-7 days you assess the pain relief you are feeling and what type of improvements to your daily activities you are experiencing.

After the trial, you let your physician know how much pain relief was experienced. Together you and your physician will decide if the permanent HF10 therapy system is something that would benefit you. If the decision is to proceed, you would receive the implant through a minor, reversible surgical procedure where a small battery (about the size of a pacemaker) is implanted under the skin and connected to the leads. Recovery is fairly short and the benefits are fast.

If you are suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, this minimally invasive procedure offers another option for you without going through larger, more extensive and potentially risky surgery. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal causing you pain, numbness, tingling or weakness radiating down your back and legs. You may be a perfect candidate for the implant if you have problems walking and find it difficult to do the simplest of everyday task; for example, going to the grocery store and having to push the shopping cart bent over only to relieve your pain.

Performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient in a surgery center, the tiny titanium device is inserted surgically through a small incision in your back and is closed with a single suture. The simple procedure can be completed in under one hour with no damage to nearby bone or tissue, resulting in minimal bleeding. This safe and effective procedure went through rigorous clinical trials and is FDA approved. The implant will allow you to stand upright without pinching nerves in your back. You will not need to bend forward to relieve your pain any longer.

Hope for relief of pain from moderate lumbar spinal stenosis is a conversation you should have with one of our providers.

A naturally occurring lubricating substance is injected under ultrasound guidance into the knee joint. This replaced the depleted synovial fluid and stimulates the cells in the knee to produce more lubricating fluid and decrease chemical mediator of pain. This provides six to ten months of relief from arthritic knee pain.

Platelet Rich Plasma is a relatively new technique that uses the growth factors in your own blood to accelerate healing of damaged tissue. It is most commonly used for ligament and tendons strains and sprains. It is also popular to decrease the pain and promote healing of joints with osteoarthritis. A small sample of the patients’ blood is drawn and the platter rich component is removed. This component of platelets also contains the body’s growth factors used in healing damaged tissue. The concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into and around the point of injury, jump-starting the healing process. Because your own blood is used, there is no risk of a transmissible infection.

Trigger point injections are used for specific muscles that are causing pain. They are knots and areas of spasm within in the muscles. They remain contracted and can be extremely painful. Trigger point injections are designed to relax the muscular trigger points thus reducing the pain. The injections are done with needles and injections may include: Steroids, local anesthetics e.g. Novocain, B12 and even “dry needling”. The trigger points are first identified and then injected. This causes the trigger point to become inactive and as a direct result alleviates pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome happens when the median nerve is trapped in the carpal tunnel resulting in pain, and numbness in the hand. Carpal Tunnel Injections can be helpful in reducing the swelling around the median nerve giving some relief from the symptoms. It can take a few days for the effects to become apparent, but the benefits can last for 2 months or more in most cases.

These simple injections help confirm if the pain is emanating from the facet joints along the spine. If pain is temporarily alleviated the permanent radiofrequency procedure can then be performed.

This simple procedure is done to remove pain in either right or left leg caused by chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) which occurs (fortunately uncommonly) after trauma to muscle and nerves in the affected limb. This is particularly helpful after bone fractures with significant tissue and nerve damage.

This large joint supports the weight of the entire torso and upper body. When these ligaments are damaged the pain is sharp and debilitating. A small injection can remove pain and induce the healing process.

This is used when tissue bone and nerve damage has occurred to the upper extremities (arms). The pain produced is also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. A small injection along the base of the neck will interrupt and inhibit the severe pain from reaching the spinal column and being transmitted to the brain.

A Discogram is done to confirm that the disc in the lumbar or cervical spine is the source of pain. A small amount of radiocontrast is placed in the disc and outlines the shape or disc morphology. By doing this tears and aberrations within the disc can be identified.

Medtronic infusion devices are used for patients with severe intractable pain that does not respond to conventional techniques. The spinal column contains the receptors which transmit pain from the body to the brain. By placing a small catheter into the spinal fluid and connecting it to a small implantable pump; an extremely small steady infusion can occur. This binds and blocks the pain receptors thus inhibiting a pain signal from reaching the brain. For patients experiencing severe daily pain this outpatient technique allows patients to regain their independence and restore function.

Neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves are damaged and/or not working correctly. Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy but there can be many other causes including trauma (partially or completely severing a peripheral nerve), some chemotherapy drugs, amputation, alcohol, heavy metal and toxic chemical exposure i.e. Agent Orange. Treatment includes using our electric cell signaling device, RST-Sanexas machine, to increase circulation, stimulate nerves to regrow, and to improve healing. This course of treatment must be done 2-3 times a week over the course of months.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction that may help relieve back pain. This therapy works by gently stretching the spine by changing the force and position of the spine. This takes stress off the spinal gel-like filled cushioned discs by creating negative pressure. As a result, bulging or herniated disks may retract, reducing pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This reduction of pressure inside the discs (decompression) aids in pulling nutrients, oxygen, and moisture back into the disks so they can heal.