Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are especially effective at relieving pain around the injection point. Trigger points often present themselves as knots within the muscles that can cause pain and discomfort. These knots can impact how a muscle moves and if it is able to fully relax. By using a trigger point injection, a small amount of steroid is injected into the area of concern to help alleviate pain and related symptoms.
Why It’s Done
Trigger point injections can be especially effective at helping to sooth knots in the muscle and can reduce pain from the area. By using a targeted steroid injection, the procedure is minimally invasive and provides major benefits for patients trying to better manage pain and improve overall functioning. Additionally, the procedure for trigger point injection can be administered in minutes with immediate effects.
Risks
There are some associated risks with a trigger point injection procedure which can include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Temporary soreness
- Numbness
What To Expect?
During Trigger Point Injections
- In preparation for the procedure, the patient is positioned comfortably.
- The physician presses and pinches the skin to locate the trigger point.
- Once it’s been identified, the physician cleanses the overlying skin.
- A topical anesthetic may be used to temporarily numb the skin.
- The physician carefully inserts a needle through the skin and into the trigger point.
- The physician injects an anesthetic mixture into the trigger point. This causes the trigger point to relax.
- If the trigger point does not relax completely after the first injection, the physician may adjust the needle’s position and give additional injections.
- When the injection is complete, the physician removes the needle.
After Trigger Point Injections
- A small bandage may be placed over the injection site.
- The patient may be encouraged to stretch and move the muscle after the injection.
PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Interventional Pain Management?
Interventional Pain Management is a subspecialty that helps diagnose and treat pain related disorders by using various interventions (or injections/procedures). Interventional pain management is a way to help treat chronic and acute pain, manage various pain conditions either before or after surgery, and thus to minimize the use of prescription medications.
This can be done independently as a stand-alone treatment but can often be done in addition to physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic (when appropriate) as well as counseling.
Interventional techniques are minimally-invasive procedures that can include epidurals or other injections to put steroids or other medications in to a targeted area (usually part of your spine or various joints). Another approach is using needles to destroy the specific nerves that are the source of your pain. There are a few surgical techniques that can be completed as well which can include intrathecal infusion pumps for palliative pain conditions, spinal cord stimulators for intractable pain, dorsal root stimulators, basivertebral nerve ablations and decompression of the spine. We also use Botox® for migraines and dystonia.
What is the difference between pain management and interventional pain management?
Interventional pain management physicians use minimally invasive medical procedures to interrupt or slow the nervous system’s transmission of the pain signals from the nerve endings to the brain. In the case of chronic or severe pain, interventional pain management seeks to disrupt the pain cycle.
Pain management can include various forms of therapies as well as medications. Medications can include non-controlled substances and in some cases do require the use of controlled substances for calming pain conditions.
Where can patients have their Pain Management procedures done?
We have an in-office procedure suite with fluoroscopy (live x-ray) at our Reno location, or procedures can be done at an outpatient hospital or surgery center. Your insurance may impact where you can go for your procedure. Sierra Neurosurgery Group is happy to discuss your options when your appointment is being scheduled.
Can patients have sedation for Pain Management procedures?
Most procedures can be completed without the need for sedation. However for some patients sedation can help them relax and make the procedure more comfortable. If your procedure is completed in the office we can provide some oral sedation, however, if full sedation is requested then we perform your treatment at an outpatient hospital/surgery center.
How do I make an appointment with Sierra Neurosurgery Group?
Call us today at (775) 323-2080 or toll free (888) 323-2080. We have 5 locations to serve you: Carson City, Elko, Fallon, Reno and Sparks. If your health insurance plan requires a referral, contact your primary care or emergency room physician and request a referral to Sierra Neurosurgery Group.
Do you offer X-rays and MRI’s?
What to Expect From Your Visit
Sierra Neurosurgery Group is focused on providing the highest quality surgeries with the best possible patient care. We focus on creating a unique experience for each of our patients to show them we understand their current situation and to do our best to help them get back to living the life they want. We provide the best care to our patients because we have assembled a team of professionals with extensive surgical experience consisting of neurosurgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and interventional pain specialists. Our personnel, focus on patients, and quality of care allows Sierra Neurosurgery Group to be highly effective in creating the best results and outcomes for our patients.