Procedures
Chronic pain and its psychological effects can reduce your quality of life and that of the people around you. Pinpointing the cause is not always straightforward or achievable and this can be frustrating. Thankfully new technologies are providing symptom relief in a variety of ways.
At QPain, we specialise in safe and innovative interventional treatments proven to minimise or eliminate pain. Our patients experience the benefits of our expertise in new technologies such as nerve blocks, nerve stimulators and a range of advanced medical options now available to reduce or eliminate pain including:
- Diagnostic injections
- Radiofrequency neurotomy
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Regenerative therapy
Diagnostic Injections
A positive result achieved via these injections is only temporary and primarily used to diagnose the effectiveness of additional procedures. In most cases once the pain location is pinpointed radiofrequency ablation (neurotomy) may be recommended for longer-term pain relief.
- Epidural Injections and Nerve Root Blocks – Cortisone and local anaesthetic is injected into targeted areas of the spine to reduce inflammation of the spinal nerves and remove pain temporarily.
- Genicular Nerve Procedures for Knee Pain – Genicular nerves conduct pain signals from the knee to the brain. A nerve block is used to prevent pain transmission and to test how a patient will respond to using a radiofrequency generator to cauterize the nerve.
- Medial Branch Blocks and Facet Joint Injections – Anaesthetic and steroids are injected into the facet joint areas of the spine to determine if they are the cause of pain.
- Sacroiliac Joint Injections – As with the Facet joint procedure, this is primarily used to confirm the source of pain is from the sacroiliac joint located between the pelvis and lower spine.
Radiofrequency neurotomy
Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatments for Pain – an electrical pulse is applied through a special needle targeting a nerve to reduce pain without destroying the nerve. As the nerve will recover, pain relief is temporary using this procedure but may provide relief for several months before returning.
Radiofrequency Neurotomy of Facet/Sacroiliac Joints – A needle is inserted beside the nerve that supplies sensory response – particularly at the facet and sacroiliac joints – and a radiofrequency signal is passed through the needle to cauterise the nerve to terminate the pain signals at the nerve. On average pain relief lasts between 9-12 months.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
This technology directly targets pain signals at the spinal cord. Electrodes are positioned in the epidural space of the spine and attached to a transmitter which transforms pain signals into a mild tingling sensation or no sensation at all.
If you have been suffering from long term or chronic pain, speak to your General Practitioner about a referral to a Specialist in Pain Medicine. To find out more about any of our procedures, download our Procedural Information Sheet or make an appointment today.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
What is chronic pain?
Sometimes identifying the cause of chronic pain can be difficult, with many potential contributing factors involved. Our experts can help.
OUR TEAM
Our team of specialists is dedicated to providing advanced pain management for patients.
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QPain have clinics in multiple locations around South East Queensland. Find a clinic near you.
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“It’s vital to work with a physician who specialises in pain medicine to help identify the source of your pain and develop the best method of treatment.”
Dr Frank Thomas
