Chronic pain

Epidural treatment helps target pain stemming from your intervertebral discs, spinal cord or spinal nerve roots.  The epidural space surrounds the dura, a fibrous layer of tissue surrounding the spinal cord. Using this space, we can deliver medications directly to the affected area of your spine.    First, we numb your skin. Then, using X-ray guidance, […]

Pain originating from the nervous system is termed neuropathic pain. When neuropathic pain is due to damage or compression of a particular nerve, we can target that nerve specifically using imaging techniques. Blocking the input signals from the nerve with local anaesthetic will quickly determine if the nerve is a large source of your pain.

In our approach to pain medication decisions, we aim to encompass all medication classes contributing to different mechanisms of action for pain management. For episodes of acute or nociceptive pain, we utilize a combination of paracetamol and various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, choosing based on patient needs, potential side effects, and duration of action. Building on

Radiofrequency neurotomy (also known as radiofrequency ablation) uses heat to target specific nerves and temporarily stop their ability to send pain messages. The heat is generated by radio waves from needles carefully inserted near the targeted nerve. This results in a significant reduction or complete resolution of the pain, which lasts about a year until

Suprascapular nerve pain, caused by entrapment or injury to the suprascapular nerve, typically presents as severe, deep, aching pain radiating from the top of the scapula to the shoulder. This neuropathy can lead to various symptoms, including weakness and atrophy of the shoulder muscles, particularly the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Patients may experience difficulty with overhead

Ketamine infusion therapy shows promise in managing chronic pain, particularly for conditions like chronic regional pain syndromes (CRPS). Studies indicate its efficacy in providing short-term analgesic benefits for patients with refractory chronic pain. Ketamine is administered alongside opioid analgesics post-operatively and in chronic cancer pain management. Learn more in our video with Dr James O’Callaghan.