Dr. From Córdoba (Pain Clinic)
There are many diseases that can cause inflammation of the nerves and discs of the lumbar spine. The most common are disc herniation and the reduction of the internal diameter of the vertebrae (canal stenosis); these cases respond very well to the direct injection of a cortisone-type anti-inflammatory in the spine.
The infiltration consists of inserting a needle between the vertebrae to detect the space that surrounds the discs and nerves. An advanced X-ray device (digital radioscopy) is used to guide the fine needle to the inflamed area. Before putting the medication, a contrast is injected that ‘draws’ the epidural space on the screen and confirms that everything is being done correctly.
Thanks to these techniques, many patients have avoided undergoing major, more risky surgery with a longer recovery period.
Lumbar epidural infiltration with Rx
Spinal nerve infiltration
ARTHRITIS IN THE LUMBAR COLUMN
Back pain is very common; it is known that 80% of humans will have a ‘pinching’ (lumbago) throughout their lives. In many of these patients, the pain comes from the small joints that thread the vertebrae together (facets). These vertebral “hinges” hurt when they are inflamed or degenerated.
Pain arising from these joints (facet syndrome) can be cured by applying a high-speed electric current (RADIO FREQUENCY) to the delicate nerves that transmit joint sensitivity. In this ‘operation’, popularly called rhizolysis, no drug is infiltrated but the nerves are thermocoagulated using special needles; at the end of outpatient surgery, patients return home on their own.
Facet joint pain L3-4 (blue), L4-5 (pink) and L5-S1 (red)
“AUSTRALIAN” RHIZOLISIS
Australian researchers from the University of NEWCASTLE have developed in the last decade a rhizolysis that far surpasses that used in Europe (Dutch technique). This refinement has been shown to be much more effective, and long-lasting, than the classic technique. For this reason, in our Unit today we only practice the Newcastle technique.
Rizolisis Newcastle L4-5 left
