Pain therapy, background information

The applied methods of pain therapy allow making successful targeted injections of analgesic substances.

This is carried out with the help of the latest imaging technique, computed tomography. You will find more information concerning the functioning of this device under the respective navigation item.

Computed tomography allows targeted inserting of a thin needle with a diameter of 0,6 mm under visual control.

With perineural infiltration (PNI, see picture below), it is possible to place the needle correctly onto the irritated nerve in the nerve channel.

Now a locally acting cortisone preparation is injected, which allows keeping the dose very low. In this case, cortisone shows its strong anti-inflammatory effect - the swelling of the nerve is reduced and its function is restored. In addition, we inject an anaesthetic that remains effective for a longer period, in order to reduce the pain sensitivity of the nerve affected. We carry out the treatments several times at weekly intervals until the symptoms subside.

We use a similar approach while performing computer-controlled facet infiltration (FI, see picture below).

This method is characterised by placing thin injection needles under vision control by means of computed tomography directly onto the small vertebral arch joints (facet joints) and administrating the medication described.

An infiltration treatment of the lumbar spine is carried out in the prone position. During the treatment of the cervical spine, the patient is lying on his back inside the CT device.

First, a CT section image is made, in order to localise the area to be treated. With the help of the reference wire and CT laser targeting light, the skin at the injection site is marked with a pen. After disinfecting the skin, a thin needle is inserted into the site and its position is controlled by means of a CT section image. Then the medication is administered. After removing the needle, the treatment is completed.

A CT-controlled infiltration treatment can be performed in most patients with a respective indication. However, there are a few exceptions. If a blood-thinning medication is taken, the treatment is possible only if you stop taking this medication for the time of the therapy. The treatment cannot be carried out in the case of a known allergy for the medications that are usually administered.