Segura Neuroscience & Pain Center

Products And Services

• Medial Branch Blocks

  A medial branch block is a type of injection used to numb pain originating from the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. Due to the temporary nature of the medial branch block, it is often used to determine the potential efficacy of other, more permanent treatments. A medial branch block can be performed in either the cervical or lumbar portion of the spine, depending on the source of discomfort. Facet joints can become inflamed for a variety of reasons, such as an injury or a chronic condition. For lumbar facet joint pain, medial branch blocks can be used to relieve lower back achiness, which may spread from the buttocks and thighs. Cervical facet joint pain may include soreness in the neck, shoulders, or arms. These symptoms could be associated with conditions such as facet joint syndrome or spinal spondylosis. During the procedure, the site of the injection is numbed with a local anaesthetic, allowing for a more comfortable experience for the patient. Once the area is numb, a contrast dye is injected into the injection site, allowing the physician to guide the medial branch block with the help of fluoroscopy imaging. The medial branch block injection is then administered directly into the inflamed nerve, blocking pain signals to the brain. A medial branch block typically takes about 30 minutes. Although patients often experience relief after the injection, physicians typically recommend 1-2 days of rest following the procedure. After this rest period, patients may return to their normal activities. Patients who experience relief after a medial branch block are typically considered good candidates for other, more permanent pain relief procedures, such as radiofrequency neurotomy.

• Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy

  Also referred to as radiofrequency rhizotomy, cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy is a procedure used to reduce or eliminate pain in damaged facet joints of the cervical spine. Through the use of radiofrequency energy, pain signals from the damaged nerve are disrupted, preventing the cervical branch nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy can be used to treat pain in the head, neck, arms, and shoulders. Patients experiencing pain associated with joint dysfunctions, such as cervical degenerative disc disease or cervical facet joint syndrome, may find relief from cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy. During the procedure, the patient is injected with a local anaesthetic at the site of the damaged facet joint. This numbs the area in order to provide the patient with a more comfortable procedural experience. Once numbed, the site is injected with a contrast dye, allowing the physician to guide a radiofrequency electrode into the spine. In addition to the dye injections, the physician will also place a cannula-- a tube-like needle filled with dye-- into each affected cervical branch nerve. This allows the physician to test each nerve individually, pinpointing the exact source of pain. The electrode effectively cauterizes the nerve, preventing it from sending further signals to the brain. Though some experience some discomfort for a few days after the procedure, patients can expect to return to normal activities about two days after the cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy.

• Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy

  Also referred to as radiofrequency rhizotomy, lumbar facet radiofrequency neurotomy is a procedure used to reduce or eliminate pain in damaged facet joints of the lumbar spine. Through the use of radiofrequency energy, pain signals from the damaged nerve are disrupted, preventing the lumbar branch nerve from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Lumbar facet radiofrequency neurotomy can be used to treat pain in the lower back and legs. Patients experiencing pain associated with joint dysfunctions, such as lumbar degenerative disc disease or lumbar facet joint syndrome, may find relief from lumbar facet radiofrequency neurotomy. During the procedure, the patient is injected with a local anaesthetic at the site of the damaged facet joint. This numbs the area in order to provide the patient with a more comfortable procedural experience. Once numbed, the site is injected with a contrast dye, allowing the physician to guide a radiofrequency electrode into the spine. In addition to the dye injections, the physician will also place a cannula-- a tube-like needle filled with dye-- into each affected lumbar branch nerve. This allows the physician to test each nerve individually, pinpointing the exact source of pain. The electrode effectively cauterizes the nerve, preventing it from sending further signals to the brain. Though many experience some discomfort for a few days after the procedure, patients can expect to return to normal activities about two days the lumbar facet radiofrequency neurotomy.

• Lumbar Transforaminal Steroid Injections

  A lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection is an injection administered directly into the epidural area of the spine. This is a non-surgical method of treatment to reduce swelling and pain in the spine. The injection may also contain a mixture of lidocaine to assist with pain associated with inflammation, or a saline solution to flush inflammatory proteins out of the affected area. Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections can be used to treat pain in the lower back and legs. This pain could be caused by conditions such as lumbar radiculitis, lumbar bulging discs, and lumbar spinal stenosis. Patients suffering from symptoms of sciatica, nerve root compression, herniated discs, and spinal inflammation may benefit from lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections. Before the procedure, the injection site is numbed with a local anaesthetic. The site is then injected with a contrast solution, allowing the physician to guide the epidural injection with the help of fluoroscopy. Patient sedation may be offered on an as-needed basis. The procedure usually takes only 10-15 minutes to complete, but in some cases, physicians may wish to monitor their patients for 20-60 minutes before discharging them. The patient may resume their normal daily activities the following day. Most patients experience pain relief 3-5 days after an epidural steroid injection, though some may experience relief sooner. Patients are typically restricted to three injections per year, in order to prevent bone weakening due to prolonged steroid exposure. Although some patients may need as many as three injections in order to experience the full benefit of the medicine, many patients feel significant relief after their first injection, and do not need additional treatments.

• Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

  A cervical epidural steroid injection is an injection administered directly into the epidural area of the spine. This is a non-surgical method of treatment to reduce swelling and pain in the spine. The injection may also contain a mixture of lidocaine to assist with pain associated with inflammation, or a saline solution to flush inflammatory proteins out of the affected area. Cervical epidural steroid injections can be used to treat pain in the neck, back, shoulders, and arms. This pain could be caused by conditions such as cervical radiculitis, cervical bulging discs, and cervical spinal stenosis. Patients suffering from symptoms of sciatica, nerve root compression, herniated discs, and spinal inflammation may benefit from cervical epidural steroid injections. Before the procedure, the injection site is numbed with a local anaesthetic. The site is then injected with a contrast solution, allowing the physician to guide the epidural injection with the help of fluoroscopy. Patient sedation may be offered on an as-needed basis. The procedure usually takes only 10-15 minutes to complete, but in some cases, physicians may wish to monitor their patients for 20-60 minutes before discharging them. The patient may resume their normal daily activities the following day. Most patients experience pain relief 3-5 days after an epidural steroid injection, though some may experience relief sooner. Patients are typically restricted to three injections per year, in order to prevent bone weakening due to prolonged steroid exposure. Although some patients may need as many as three injections in order to experience the full benefit of the medicine, many patients feel significant relief after their first injection, and do not need additional treatments.