Superior Spine & Joint Clinic

The pain management doctors at Superior Spine and Joint can control and manage acute and chronic pain conditions, primarily related to spinal disorders. Nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation are used to diagnose and evaluate pain conditions while providing substantial pain relief. Steroid injections can reduce pain caused by inflammation. These procedures can benefit patients with degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, migraines, neck pain, back pain, and radiating pain in the arms and legs.

Pain management procedures are performed by board certified physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR). These are outpatient procedures that require minimal down time but deliver pain relief for several weeks or months, depending on the patient. The most common procedures we offer are listed below.d medication usually consists of an anesthetic to relax the area and relieve pain. A steroid medication is sometimes included in the injection.

• No food or drink (including water) 8 hours prior to your procedure. If you have any medications that must be taken before your procedure AND has been approved by your physician, you may do so with very little water.
• If you are having an Epidural Steroid Injection only in your cervical or thoracic spine or a Catheter ESI in any region of your spine, or a Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial/Implant, you will need to be off ALL BLOOD THINNERS and/or ALL NSAIDS for 5 days prior to your procedure date. **This also includes any OTC aspirins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, meloxicam) analgesics and anti-inflammatories** Please contact our office and speak to a member of your physicians’ clinical staff to confirm if you are needing to stop any medications you are currently taking if you are unsure.
• Since you are receiving anesthesia/sedation, you will need someone present to drive you home unless it was discussed and approved by your physician to perform your procedure under local anesthesia.
• No outside items may be taken into the procedure room/operating room. Pillows and blankets from home are not allowed in pre-op or the procedure room/operating room.
• You will be asked to remove all clothing that might interfere with your procedure or be stained by the skin preparation including bra, underwear, shorts, pantyhose, or leggings.
• Please do not wear jewelry including watches and any piercings.
  

  ---

  For your safety, if you have tested positive for COVID you must be free of any COVID symptoms for 5 days prior to having any procedure.

  For any spinal cord stimulators trial or permanent placement, you must adhere to the following guidelines for anesthesia.

  • 4 weeks asymptomatic or recover from only mild non-respiratory symptoms.
  • 6 weeks for a symptomatic patient (e.g.) cough, dyspnea) who did not require hospitalization.
  • 8-10 weeks for a symptomatic patient who is diabetic, immunocompromised, or hospitalized.
  • 12 weeks for any patient who was admitted to an intensive care unit due to COVID-19 infection.