Why Choose Advanced Physicians?

Interventional Pain Management

What is fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that takes live x-ray images of the body. This enables the physician to check the positioning of the needle during the entire procedure.

Why is it better to have epidurals under fluoroscopy?

This ensures that your pain management doctor is injecting the medication in exactly the right place to get the most from your treatment and to avoid any complications.

Cervical Epidual Injection for Neck Pain Relief

For certain types of neck pain, our doctor may suggest a Cervical Epidual Injection. With this treatment. medication is injected into your neck near your spine. The injection helps the doctor find the source of your pain. It can also help relieve your pain and soreness.

The Cervical Vertebrae

The Cervical Vertebrae are the bones that support your neck and head. They form the top part of your spine. The tunnel made by these vertebrae is called the spinal canal. The spinal cord runs through the spinal canal, inside a sac called the dura. Nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit through the vertebrae. Pressure on one of these nerves may cause it to become inflamed (irritated or swollen. An inflamed nerve in your neck may cause neck pain that may also be felt in your head or arms.

The Cervical Epidural Injection

To help relieve your pain, medication is injected into the epidual space. This space surrounds the dura within the spinal canal. Your doctor may also do a nerve block. During this procedure,  medication is injected near a specific nerve root (the part that leaves the spinal canal). A nerve block can help your doctor find out which nerve or nerves are the source of your pain.

During the Procedure:

• To help you relax, medication may be given through the IV line. You will lie on an exam table on your stomach or side, or sit in a chair. Stay as still as you can.

During your treatment:

• The skin over the injection site is cleaned. A local anesthetic (pain medication) numbs the skin.
• Fluoroscopy (x-ray imagin) may be used to help your doctor see where the injection needs to go. A contrast "dye" may be injected into the region to help obtain a better image.
• The cervical epidural injection is given. It may contain a local anesthetic to numb the region, steroids (medications that reduce inflammation), or both.