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Pain Management
Our physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of your life. Persistent, chronic pain can be debilitating and take the joy out of living; for some people, it makes getting through each day nearly impossible. The Orthopaedic Center is dedicated to improving life for those suffering from chronic pain.
The Importance of Pain Management
Pain triggers a number of response systems in the body. These response systems are designed to help the body deal with the pain without injury; however, when prolonged, these responses can also produce a number of harmful effects.
Studies have shown dramatic benefits to effective pain management in the recovery period after an injury or surgery. These benefits include quicker recuperation and fewer complications.
Types of Pain Problems
 Our team provides outpatient evaluation and management of patients with severe pain problems.
- Lower back and neck pain
- Disc pain of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine
- Arm and leg pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches from the neck
- Chronic pain
- Failed Back Syndrome (people with pain after multiple back surgeries)
- Sacroiliac joint pain
- Arthritis
- Myofascial pain
- Facet Syndrome
Diagnostic Testing
Physicians at The Orthopaedic Center use the most advanced diagnostic testing available to identify potential causes of pain. Commonly used diagnostic tests available at The Orthopaedic Center are:
- X-ray: Often the first test given to diagnose spinal abnormalities.
- MRI Scan: Show soft tissue structures, such as ruptured discs, the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve roots, muscles and bones. MRI scans use a magnetic field and a computer to reproduce its images. New machines cut test times dramatically.
- EMG's (Electromyography) or NCS (Nerve Conduction Studies): Helpful in evaluating leg or arm weakness, numbness, pain and cramping. During these tests, a tiny electric current is conducted through a muscle or skin and the activity or transmission is monitored.
Pain is an agonizing reality to millions of Americans. Treatment of chronic pain focuses on decreasing pain and increasing your ability to function in your daily life. Traditional methods of treatment include pain medications, chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy or surgery. Available at The Orthopaedic Center are new, effective methods of pain relief.
Treatments Offered
- Botox Injections: Provides targeted relief of symptoms for the treatment of neck pain and abnormal head position in Cervical Dystonia
- Highly Selective Epidural Injections
- Facet Joint Injections: Cervical, thoracic and lumbar
- Intramuscular Injections
Preparing for your Procedure
- Do not eat for 4 hours before your scheduled appointment time. You may have clear liquids for up to 2 hours before your appointment. Clear liquids include water, fruit juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea and black coffee.
- Continue to take all other prescribed medications with a small sip of water. Bring all medications with you to your appointment.
- If you are taking blood-thinning medications, such as Coumadin, heparin, plavix, aggrenox, or aspirin, tell the appointment scheduler so you can receive specific instructions.
- If you have diabetes, be sure to request a morning appointment. Do not take your morning insulin, but bring it with you. If necessary, your blood glucose level will be checked once you arrive for your appointment.
- You will need to make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure. The medication given during the procedure may cause drowsiness, making it unsafe for you to drive or operate machinery.
If you are scheduled for a special procedure:
- Do not smoke for 4 hours before your scheduled appointment.
- Do not use skin lotions at all the day of the procedure.
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