Back pain is unpleasant, disruptive and often restricts everyday mobility. It reduces quality of life and is one of the most common reasons for visits to the doctor. Back pain can have a variety of causes and should first be clarified by means of detailed imaging of the spine. It is often degenerative changes in the small vertebral joints that are actively painful. There is often direct compression of the nerves and nerve roots in the area of the spine, for example due to constrictive wear of the spine, a slipped disc or post-operative scarring. The nerve compression then leads to a spiral of pain with additional swelling of the nerve and an inflammatory reaction in the surrounding area.
In addition to conservative treatment measures, image-guided (MRI-controlled) local pain therapy can be highly effective. Targeted pain therapy at the small vertebral joints is known as facet joint infiltration and in the area of the nerves as periradicular therapy (PRT). With precisely controlled infiltration, the effective medication - consisting of a local anaesthetic and an anti-inflammatory cortisone - can be applied precisely "at the site of the problem". The aim is to break through the pain cascade and achieve rapid pain relief and complete freedom from symptoms for as long as possible.
MRI-guided pain therapy
Suitability, procedure and advantages
The treatment is suitable for these patients
For many patients, back pain is chronic. It occurs repeatedly and can increase in intensity over time. The complaints are often due to problems with the facet joints. These are small joints between the vertebral processes. Furthermore, painful nerve compression often occurs in the regions where nerve roots emerge from the spinal cord or spinal column.
For many patients suffering from back pain, the usual pain medication, physiotherapy and physiotherapy no longer have the desired effect. Tablets and drops are also often not tolerated, as these medications have side effects and can cause nausea and stomach problems, for example.
I will be happy to discuss with you in person whether the cause of the pain can be localised and whether MRI-guided pain treatment is an option for you based on the clinical examination findings and current imaging of the relevant spinal segment.
If local pain therapy is suitable and there are no contraindications, such as allergies or an increased tendency to bleed, treatment in my practice can be scheduled promptly.
Procedure for minimally invasive pain therapy
The gentle and low-complication treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and takes around 10-15 minutes in total. The segment of the spine to be treated is placed in the prone position in the MRI with precise planning of the direction and depth of the injection. Once the skin has been disinfected, the sterile injection needle is positioned with pinpoint accuracy under local anaesthetic. The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication can then be injected with millimetre precision under position control of the injection needle.
As a rule, 1 to 3 interventions at intervals of 7 to 14 days lead to the desired therapeutic effect. Repeated interventions are possible if necessary.
Advantages
- Fast and usually clearly noticeable pain relief with a high chance of success
- Gentle and precise application of medication via MRI control
- No unnecessary medication overdose thanks to precise local therapy, which means less stress and side effects for your entire organism compared to systemic medication intake
- Treatment of spinal or disc damage with the chance to live, work and do sport without pain
- A risky operation can usually be spared
Help with chronic back pain
Further information on pain therapy
I carry out this gentle and minimally invasive pain therapy MRI-controlled in my Practice through. This MRI-guided pain therapy is an alternative without radiation exposure and is particularly favourable for younger patients.
Contraindications are pregnancy and breastfeeding, known coagulation disorder or intake of anticoagulant medication, as well as known intolerance to the medication to be used - intervention may also be possible without the use of contrast medium.
Do you need an MRI appointment in Munich?
Then you are welcome to contact me by phone, e-mail or via the contact form. You can also arrange your next appointment conveniently and easily online. I look forward to your enquiry!