Facet Joint Injections
Overview
The facet joints are found at the back of spinal vertebrae and can become painfully irritated or inflamed. An injection can relieve inflammation and pain, helping doctors diagnosis the pain’s source.
Skin Numbed
In preparation for the procedure, the physician injects local anesthe…
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) – Cervical Spine
Overview
This injection treats painful nerve swelling in your cervical spine (neck), which can be caused by spinal stenosis or a herniated disc pressing on a nerve.
Preparation
To begin, you lie down while local anesthetic is used to numb the injection site.
Placing the needle
A nee…
Electromyography (EMG)
Overview
This is a two-part test of your nerves and muscles. The first part is a nerve conduction study, sometimes called an NCS or NCV (nerve conduction velocity). The NCS measures how well electricity moves through your nerves. The second part is a needle electromyogram (needle EMG), which reco…
Discography and Discogram
Overview
This procedure, which your doctor may call discography or discogram, helps to identify painful spinal discs. Here’s how it works.
Preparation
You will be relaxed but awake during he procedure. You will not be put to sleep, so that you can give your doctor feedback during the discography…
Discogenic Pain
Overview
Spinal discs cushion the spinal bones (vertebrae) above and below them, and allow the spine to move in a variety of directions. These disc have nerves that give the sensation of pain when the disc is injured or weakened. This is called discogenic pain and is different than pain caused …
Degenerative Disc Disease
Overview
Vertebral discs act cushion and absorb shock between spinal bones (vertebrae). When discs lose fluid and height, they are said to experience degenerative disc disease. Degeneration happens naturally over time as discs age, but injuries can speed up the degenerative process or make it m…
CT Scan (Computed Tomography, CAT Scan)
Overview
This diagnostic scan takes x-ray images from many angles, combining them to show doctors clear cross-section slices of your body parts. A CT scan shows much more than a typical x-ray and depicts structures that MRIs are inadequate to image.
Preparation
You will need to remove your glas…
Cervical Radiculopathy
Overview
Nerve roots in the cervical spine (neck) travel to the shoulders, arm, hands, and fingers. A neck injury can compress or irritate a cervical nerve root, creating symptoms in the areas where that nerve travels.
Causes
There are three primary causes of cervical radiculopathy. A herniate…