Treatments have been shown to have a small benefit to pain, and only when used as part of a whole treatment programme which includes exercise. 

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Injections may be tried if the exercises and other treatments have not helped. Other treatment options will be discussed with you before deciding to go ahead with the injection(s) and your consent is needed. 

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Our Pain Specialists will be able to provide you with up-to-date information about the likelihood of this being a successful treatment for you and how this treatment fits into the best pathway of care.

 

List of injections we offer:

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Medial Branch Blocks (Diagnostic)

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The Medial Branches (also known as Facet Joints) can be injected with a nerve blocking agent to diagnose if your pain can be treated by Radio Frequency Lesioning (Denervation). Medical Branch Blocks are carried out under X-ray control to ensure accurate needle placement.

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Video Link: Medial Branch Block Video

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Facet Joint Rhizolysis/Radio Frequency Lesioning (Denervation)

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Rhizolysis/Radio Frequency Lesioning (Denervation) is a procedure where nerves to the facet joints (often called medial branch nerves) are destroyed (sometimes called ablation).

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The procedure is usually undertaken when local anaesthetic blocks have proven to produce significant pain relief for a short duration. These blocks are called diagnostic medical branch blocks. The purpose is to try and produce more prolonged pain relief for pain emanating from facet joints sometimes even lasting several years. 

 

The probe is heated to disrupt the nerves, some doctors may use other techniques to do this. In addition, local anaesthetic and/or steroid is injected to reduce any post-procedural discomfort. 

 

Usually, several injections are undertaken during the same procedure. It is used for localised spinal pain in the lower back or neck area where simpler management measures have not helped. 

 

The injections if effective will enable you to exercise and live a fuller and more active lifestyle.

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Video Link: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

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Video Link: Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy Video

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Nerve Root Blocks, Epidural and Sympathectomy

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If you are suffering from sciatica, or similar problems in your arm(s), neck or back, then this treatment may help.  These procedures all involve an injection of steroid into the nerve roots in your spine that are affected.  All of these procedures are carried out under X-ray control to ensure accurate needle placement. This may alleviate your pain for a period of time, usually 3-6 months.

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Video Link: Nerve Root Block/Epidural Video

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Trigger Point Injections

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If your pain is muscular then injections of local anaesthetic into the ‘trigger points’ may alleviate your pain for a period of time, usually 3-6 months.   A ‘trigger point’ is a point on your body that hurts excessively when pressure is applied.

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Joint Injections

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If your pain is in your shoulder, hip or knee, we can treat this by injecting steroids into the affected joint(s).  This may alleviate your pain for a period of time, usually 3-6 months.

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Botox (Migraines)

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If you have been diagnosed with having Migraines by a Consultant Neurologist, then we may be able to your pain by injections of Botox into your scalp.  This may alleviate your pain for a period of time, usually 3 months.

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