At Oklahoma Pain Management, we use the latest technologies in interventional therapies to custom tailor a treatment plan that fits your specific condition and pain pattern.
TREATMENTS
What is a Discogram?
A Discogram is a pre-surgical diagnostic test that consists of putting pressure on the inside of a disc by injecting dye into the center of the disc. The goal of this test is to try and reproduce your pain. If your pain is reproduced while the doctor is putting pressure in your disc and the contrast dye goes into an area where it is not supposed to, it identifies which discs are responsible for causing your pain.
What can you expect during your visit?
This procedure is done only in a facility setting. You will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance and must fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff and an IV will be placed for conscience sedation. In the procedure room you will be placed in the prone position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and insert a needle into the disc and inject the dye. The procedure takes about 15 – 20 minutes and consists of placing 2-4 needles into the discs and injecting the dye into each one. Your doctor will ask you questions about your pain level. After the procedure you will be monitored for about 30 minutes.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. The day of and the following day you may feel some discomfort in the injection areas. Because the discogram is meant to reproduce your pain, you can expect to hurt and be sore for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. After the procedure you will have a CT scan of the area and will follow up with your surgeon.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
What is an epidural steroid injection?
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) involves immersing nerve roots in steroids to relieve pain, usually in the lumbar area. It is an outpatient procedure that can be performed in the office with local anesthetic, or in a facility with conscious sedation (a safer alternative to general anesthesia).
As opposed to oral steroids or painkillers, Epidural steroids have a more focused area of delivery, and are delivered closer to the pain source, thus creating more impactful pain relief.
What it an ESI used to treat?
An ESI treats:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- disk herniation
- bone spurs
- annular tears
- degenerative disc
- and other neck, leg and back pain.
The pain is usually caused by spinal nerve irritation from tissue pressing against the nerve roots.
What does the shot look like?
A steroid (typically cortisone) and local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine) solution, and/or saline is used.
Where is an epidural steroid shot injected?
The ESI shot is administered in the epidural space (the space around the spinal cord).
Is an ESI painful?
The day of and the following day you may feel some discomfort in the injection areas. The shot itself, however, takes only a few minutes to administer in a relatively painless procedure.
What can I expect during an epidural steroid injection procedure?
In The Office
Step 1: Meet With Your Doctor
In the office, you will meet with your doctor in the exam room first. They will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure.
Step 2: Needle Insertion
Then, you will be taken to the exam room and prepped for the injection. You will be asked to lay face down on the exam room bed and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position.
Step 3: Steroid Injection Procedure
Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and then insert an epidural needle into the epidural space. A small amount of dye will be injected to show the correct placement has been achieved. The doctor will inject the steroid through the epidural needle and the needle is removed. The medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection site. You will be monitored for about 5 minutes after the procedure.
In A Facility
Step 1: Prep & IV-Conscious Sedation
In a facility, you will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance. You will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff. They will insert the IV for the conscious sedation.
Step 2: Needle Insertion with Fluoroscopy
Once in the procedure room you will be placed in the prone position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position.
Step 3: Steroid Injection
Your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic and then insert an epidural needle into the epidural space. A small amount of dye will then be injected to show the correct placement has been achieved. The doctor will inject the steroid through the epidural needle and the needle is removed. The medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection site. You will be monitored for about 30 minutes after the procedure.
Is there anything I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver to drive you home from our office.
How long does it take for the injection to take effect?
It takes 3-5 days for the steroid to fully kick in. Additional injections may be needed for optimum relief. Sometimes, these injections are done in a series of 2 or 3, and generally up to 3 per year.
How long will nerve, back, and disc pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will vary from patient to patient. It can last from only a few days to a matter of months. Some may even experience permanent relief after their epidural injection.
Many times, an injection is paired with another method of pain relief to provide additional relief.
Are there any side effects from Epidural Steroid injections?
Though risks are few: potential epidural steroid procedure risks include:
- headache
- bleeding
- allergic reaction
- nerve damage (rare)
- weight gain
- water retention
- hot flashes / flushing
- elevated blood sugar in diabetes patients.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
Our specialists at Oklahoma Pain Management will make sure you get the treatment you need to find relief, so you can focus on what’s important.
What is Facet Joint Block?
A Facet Joint Block is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid into a facet joint. These are the joints in the spine that allow movement including extending and laterally rotating the spine. A facet joint block is used to confirm that a facet joint is the source of pain and to decrease inflammation from the joint. It is both therapeutic and diagnostic.
What can you expect during your visit?
When the procedure is done in the office, you will meet with your doctor in the exam room first. They will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. You will be taken to the exam room, placed in the prone position, and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and insert a facet needle as close to the medial branch nerve as possible. If it a lumbar facet joint block, a small amount of dye will then be injected through the needle to show the correct placement has been achieved. Once the placement is correct, the doctor will then inject the steroid through the needle. The needle is then removed. This is repeated 6 to 8 times depending on the scope of the injury. When the procedure is complete, the medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection site. You will then be placed in a post procedure room for about 10 to 20 minutes and your pain levels will be reevaluated.
When the procedure is done in a facility, you will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance. You will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff. They will insert the IV for the conscious sedation. In the procedure room you will be placed in the prone position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and insert a facet needle as close to the medial branch nerve as possible. If it a lumbar facet joint block, a small amount of dye will then be injected through the needle to show the correct placement has been achieved. Once the placement is correct, the doctor will then inject the steroid through the needle. The needle is then removed. This is repeated 6 to 8 times depending on the scope of the injury. 10 to 20 minutes and your pain levels will be reevaluated.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. The day of and the following day you may feel some discomfort in the injection areas. Additional injections and or other procedures may be needed for optimum relief of the facet joints.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will vary from patient to patient. It can last from only a few days to a matter of months.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
At Oklahoma Pain Management, our specialists will make sure you get the treatment you need to find relief – so you can focus on what’s important.
What is a Geniculate Knee Block?
A Geniculate Knee Block is an injection of local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid around the superior lateral, superior medial, and the inferior medial branches. This is primarily used to treat chronic osteoarthritis pain of the knee. This procedure can be both therapeutic and diagnostic.
What can you expect during your visit?
You will meet with your doctor in the exam room first and they will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. You will then be taken to the procedure room where a medical assistant will prep you for the procedure. The doctor will then sterilize the area, and inject local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid into the affected areas. The medical assistant will then clean the skin and place a bandage over the injection site. You will be taken to the post procedure room and monitored for a short time.
What happens after the genicular nerve block treatment?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. You may experience pain and some soreness in the injection site lasting a day or two. The anesthetic should give you immediate relief while it may take the steroid 3-5 days to fully kick in.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will vary from patient to patient. It can last from only a few days to a matter of months. Repeated injections may be necessary to manage the pain.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to my genicular nerve block?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
What is an Occipital Nerve Block?
A Occipital Nerve Block is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid around the occipital nerve. This is used to treat chronic head pain. This injection can be used for therapeutic as well as diagnostic.
What can you expect during your visit?
You will meet with your doctor in the exam room first and they will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. They will then ask you to sit facing the exam room bed, and you will be asked to look down. At that point the skin is disinfected and a numbing agent and steroid medication are injected around the occipital nerves. In some cases, Botox medication is used to paralyze the problem muscles.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. You may experience pain, and some soreness in the injection site lasting a day or two. The anesthetic should give you immediate relief while it may take the steroid 3-5 days to fully kick in.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will vary per person but can last from a only a few days to a matter of weeks or months. Repeated injections may be necessary to manage the pain.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
What is a Radiofrequency?
A Radiofrequency (RF) is a nerve lesioning procedure that temporarily interrupts pain or nerve transmission for a prolonged duration. It uses a radiofrequency machine to deliver a high temperature lesion to the patient’s medial branch nerve via an RF electrode to induce thermal destruction of the nerves.
What can you expect during your visit?
When the procedure is done in the office, you will meet with your doctor in the exam room first. They will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. You will be taken to the exam room, placed in the prone position, and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and, using live fluoroscopy guidance; will insert a spinal needle over the correct nerves. He will then place the RF electrode through the needles and begin the process of destroying the sensory portion of the nerve. This is repeated on all affected facet joints. It takes several minutes for the RF to be completed at each site. When the procedure is complete, the medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection sites. You will then be placed in a post procedure room for about 10 to 20 minutes.
When the procedure is done in a facility, you will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance. You will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff. They will insert the IV for the conscious sedation. In the procedure room you will be placed in the prone position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and, using live fluoroscopy guidance; will insert a spinal needle over the correct nerves. He will then place the RF electrode through the needles and begin the process of destroying the sensory portion of the nerve. This is repeated on all affected facet joints. It takes several minutes for the RF to be completed at each site. You will be monitored for about 30 minutes after your procedure.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. An increase in pain 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure is normal and it will resolve itself.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will last at least 6 month to a year, but could last longer based on how long it takes for the nerves to restore themselves.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
If you’re suffering from facet joint pain and haven’t found effective treatments, radiofrequency could provide lasting relief.
hat is a Sacroiliac Joint Block?
A Sacroiliac Joint Block (SIJB) is an injection of a local anesthetic and a steroid into the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is the area where the sacrum of the spine and the iliac bone of the pelvis meet.
What can you expect during your visit?
When the procedure is done in the office, you will meet with your doctor in the exam room first. They will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. You will be taken to the exam room, placed in the prone position, and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and, using live fluoroscopy guidance; will insert a spinal needle and inject a numbing agent and steroid into the SI joint. When the procedure is complete, the medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection sites. You will then be placed in a post procedure room for about 10 to 20 minutes and your pain levels will be reevaluated.
When the procedure is done in a facility, you will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance. You will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff. They will insert the IV for the conscious sedation. In the procedure room you will be placed in the prone position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. . Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and, using live fluoroscopy guidance; will insert a spinal needle and inject a numbing agent and steroid into the SI joint. You will be monitored for about 30 minutes after your procedure.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. You may experience numbness in your leg for as long as the local anesthetic lasts, which can be up to 12 hours. The day of and the following day you may feel some discomfort in the injection areas.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will be 1 to 6 hours. The steroid may decrease the pain, but could take 3 – 5 days to fully kick in.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners,diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
Chronic pain doesn’t have to be a part of your day-to-day: the specialists at Oklahoma Pain Management can help you find long-term relief.
What is a Selective Nerve Root Block?
A Selective Nerve Root Block is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid around a specific nerve root. It is used to determine if a specific nerve root is the source of pain and to reduce the inflammation around that nerve.
What can you expect during your visit?
When the procedure is done in the office, you will meet with your doctor in the exam room first. They will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. You will be taken to the exam room, placed in the prone position, and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and, using live fluoroscopy guidance; will use a spinal needle to inject steroid and a numbing agent onto the specific nerve root. When the procedure is complete, the medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection site. You will then be placed in a post procedure room for about 10 to 20 minutes and your pain levels will be reevaluated.
When the procedure is done in a facility, you will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance. You will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff. They will insert the IV for the conscious sedation. In the procedure room you will be placed in the prone position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will then numb the area with a local anesthetic and, using live fluoroscopy guidance; will use a spinal needle to inject steroid and a numbing agent onto the specific nerve root. When the procedure is complete, the medical assistant will clean up the skin and place a bandage over the injection site. You will then be placed in a post procedure room for about 10 to 20 minutes and your pain levels will be reevaluated.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. You may experience numbness in your leg for as long as the local anesthetic lasts, which can be up to 12 hours. The day of and the following day you may feel some discomfort in the injection areas.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will be 1 to 6 hours. The steroid may decrease the pain, but could take 3 – 5 days to fully kick in.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
Don’t let chronic pain take over your life. Oklahoma Pain Management can help you find long-term relief from your pain – so you can get back to doing what you love.
What is a Stellate Ganglion Block
A Stellate Ganglion Block is an injection of local anesthetic in the sympathetic nerve tissue of the neck. This injection is used to treat chronic pain in the arms and sometimes the face due to RSD, Complex regional pain syndrome, and shingles.
What can you expect during your visit?
The procedure is primarily done in a facility setting under conscious sedation. You will check into the facility an hour and a half in advance. You will be asked to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure. You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse on staff. They will insert the IV for the conscious sedation. Once in the procedure room you will be placed in supine position and a fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position. Your doctor will inject the local anesthetic into the sympathetic nerve tissue of the neck. You will be monitored for about 30 minutes after the procedure.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. You may experience pain and some soreness in the injection site lasting a day or two.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will vary per person but can last from a matter of days to a matter of weeks or months. The anesthetic should give you immediate relief but multiple injections may be needed to manage the pain.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
Don’t let chronic pain manage you: the specialists at Oklahoma Pain Management can help you find long-term relief.
What is a Trigger Point Injection?
A Trigger Point Injection (TPI) is an injection used to treat myofascial pain or trigger point. These are points that are hyperirritable, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle facia.
What can you expect during your visit?
You will meet with your doctor in the exam room first and they will go over all the risks and benefits of this procedure. They will then ask you so sit facing the exam room bed, and will identify which muscles are causing the problem. At that point the skin is disinfected and a numbing agent and sometimes an anti-inflammatory medication are injected directly into the problem muscles. In some cases, Botox medication is used to paralyze the problem muscles.
What happens after the injection?
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure and you must have a driver drive you home from our office. You may experience pain some soreness in the injection site lasting a day or two.
How long will the pain relief last?
The duration of the pain relief will vary from patient to patient. It can last from only a few days to a matter of months. Repeated injections may be necessary to manage the pain.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, are diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
Chronic pain doesn’t have part of your day-to-day life: the specialists at Oklahoma Pain Management can help you find relief.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is the stimulation of nerves by tiny electrical pulses. An implanted lead, which is powered by an implanted battery or receiver, is placed against the patient’s spinal cord. This system sends electrical pulses that block the pain messages to the patient’s brain. SCS implantation is a reversible procedure that does not damage your spinal cord or your nerves; however there are always risks involved with every procedure and surgery. Your doctors will go over all of the risks associated with SCS implantation prior to the trial and permanent surgeries. Typically patients who have a successful SCS implantation experience 50-70% reduction in their pain.
What type of pain can be improved with SCS?
Intractable neuropathic pain is an indication for the use of SCS. Neuropathic pain is pain that is caused by actual damage to nerve tissue and is often felt as a burning pain or stabbing pain. It is often a chronic, unrelenting pain. This pain in normally accompanied with radiculopathy to the extremities, or pain traveling down the arms and legs.
What does the stimulation feel like?
Some patient’s describe the feeling of SCS as “tingling”. However, after the trial, if this feeling of tingling is annoying or disruptive to you, there are products available that do not have this feeling.
Am I a good candidate for SCS?
The best candidates for SCS implantation have severe chronic pain in their legs or arms. Patients with primarily leg or arm pain and mild back and neck pain can also benefit. In general, the wider the area of pain, the more difficult it is for SCS to be effective. Most patients who have tried more conservative therapies, but who have not experienced sufficient pain relief, are considered candidates for SCS therapy. The patient’s doctor often feels that surgery would not be beneficial.
How does my doctor choose what device is best for me?
At Oklahoma Pain Management, we use a variety of companies that offer different products based on a patient’s particular need. After your initial consultation, our doctors will discuss with you your options and together you can decide which device you would be most comfortable with.
What is the process of getting a permanent SCS?
First, you will have to get a psychological evaluation and then a trial spinal cord stimulator. This will give you the opportunity to try the device before a permanent implantation, to decide if you are comfortable with it and if it gives you the desired pain relief you are seeking. After the trial you will then move on to the permanent implantation if you choose to do so.
Why do I have to have a psychological evaluation prior to surgery?
Most insurance companies require the psychological evaluation. Its purpose is to make certain that you have a realistic expectation about the implant and its ability to help manage your chronic pain. It is also useful to determine whether you have any related psychological conditions that may interfere with your ability to have a successful outcome.
How long will it take to schedule my surgery?
After a successful stimulator trial, we will work to get you scheduled for implant within 2 to 4 weeks. This will give your body time to heal from the trial period and also give us time to obtain insurance approval.
On average, how long does the surgery take?
The surgery itself takes one to two hours. You will need to arrive 1.5 hours before your appointment time. Most cases are done on an outpatient basis, which means you can usually go home two or three hours after surgery. If an overnight stay is required, you will be admitted under 24-hour observation status.
What are the risks associated with surgery?
Implanting an SCS has risks similar to spinal procedures, including but not limited to, spinal fluid leaks, headaches, swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, and paralysis. A full list of risks will be explained to you when you meet with the doctor and again prior to the surgery. If you have questions or concerns about the risks, always ask your physician before moving forward with the surgery.
How big are the incisions?
There is a 2 to 3 inch incision along the spine that is used to place the lead in the spine. The incision for the stimulator (battery) is about 4 inches long. The lead wire is tunneled under the skin and connected to the stimulator.
After the implant, what precautions should I follow?
During the first 6 to 8 weeks following the surgery, you will need to avoid lifting, bending, reaching, and twisting movements. This allows time for scar tissue to form and anchor the lead.
What if my bandage needs changed after surgery?
We ask that you leave your initial bandage on until you come in for your post-op visit. Occasionally, the bandage will become soaked through with blood and in that case you may change it out with fresh gauze bandages. If it soaks through a second time, please notify the office.
When can I bathe and/or shower again?
You may sponge bathe 2 days after the surgery, but do not get the bandages wet. You may shower after 7 days after surgery, but do not get the bandages wet.
Is it normal to feel pain for weeks after the surgery? What can help?
You will probably experience pain for 2 to 6 weeks after surgery. This pain, caused by developing scar tissue, happens with any type of implant surgery. It is your body’s natural response to the implant. Once scar tissue forms, the pain will begin to diminish. Ice can help with pain and swelling at the affected areas. You may be given a prescription for pain medication after surgery.
How soon can I return to work?
If you have been working up until the time of your implant, you may be able to return to work within 2 weeks of your surgery. If your job involves any repetitive lifting, bending, twisting, or stooping, you may need to be off work for 6 weeks in order to avoid possible movement of the stimulator lead.
Can I go in a bath, hot tub, steam room or sauna?
Yes, after your incisions have healed. If you feel any localized heat sensation around your stimulator, you should get out of the tub or sauna room.
If I am having problems, when should I call the office?
If you are having problems, or are concerned there may be a problem, you can always call our office to ask questions. However, there are times when you should call our office immediately.
- If you are having excessive bleeding after surgery that soaks the bandage through after being changed
- If you are experiencing excessive or unusual pain, swelling, or redness around your incisions.
- If you are experiencing excessive or unusual pain, swelling, or redness around your incisions.
- If you notice unusual changes in the quality or location of your stimulator, or when you experience no sensation at all.
- If you are increasing stimulation more often than normal.
- If you begin to run a fever
What is a Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure, in which our doctors inject your fractured vertebra with a special cement through a small hole in the skin.
After the procedure, you’ll feel:
- Alleviated pain associated with the fracture
- Restored lost vertebral body height from the compression fracture
- Better posture due to better bone stability.
In most instances, we perform the procedure without a hospital stay; in many cases, we perform it in less than an hour.
Am I a good candidate for Kyphoplasty?
Good candidates for Kyphoplasty include:
- Patients with recent compression fractures related to osteoporosis. The procedure should be completed within 8 weeks of the onset of symptoms for the best results.
- Patients that have bones weakened by cancer.
- Older patients, as the long-term effects of the cement are not yet known on younger patients.
What can you expect during your Kyphoplasty treatment?
Prior to your procedure
Prior to the procedure, you will meet with your doctor to go over all the risks and benefits of the Kyphoplasty. As it is a medical procedure, your doctor may order blood tests. The doctor may also order an MRI and x-rays to help the doctor determine the precise area of your vertebrae that needs attention. Once you fully understand the procedure, and we’ve explained all risks and ordered all tests, we will schedule your kyphoplasty.
Day of your procedure
- On the day of the procedure, we ask you to fast for 6 hours prior to your procedure time.
- You will be brought back and prepped by a nurse or medical assistant on staff; they will insert the IV for the sedation medications.
- You will meet with the anesthesiologist and your doctor prior to the procedure. Then, you’ll be taken to the procedure room and be placed in the prone (laying on your stomach) position.
- A fluoroscopy guidance machine will be brought into position.
The machine passes an X-ray beam through the body and shows a continuous X-ray image on a monitor, akin to a movie. Then, an anesthesiologist will administer the sedation medication through your IV. - Using the fluoroscopy guidance, your doctor will place a needle through your skin and back muscles, and into the compressed vertebrae.
- Once we place the needle correctly, your doctors will inflate a small balloon to make room for the special cement by elevating the fracture.
- We remove the balloon and inject the cement into the compressed vertebrae.
- Your doctor will then remove the needle.
The entire kyphoplasty procedure will take less than an hour in most cases.
After your procedure
After your procedure, we will take into a recovery room; we will remove your IV, and a nurse or medical assistant will closely monitor for about 30 minutes.
You will be asked not to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure, and you must have a driver to drive you home from our office. You may feel some discomfort in the injection areas that could last a few days, but can resume normal activity almost immediately.
How long will the pain relief last after Kyphoplasty?
Pain relief for many may be immediate. However, for some, it may take days to feel the full effects of the procedure. Patients should follow up with their referring physician to discuss spine maintenance to avoid future fractures.
Is there anything specific I need to tell my doctor prior to this procedure?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, on blood thinners, diabetic, or if you have any other concerns you would like to address beforehand.