| Conditions
we commonly treat |
 |
|
Discogenic
pain - Pain arising from the
discs themselves. Pain from pinched,
irritated or injured nerve roots |
|
|
Facet
joint syndrome - Pain from
arthritis of the joints that hold the
spine in alignment |
|
|
Spinal
stenosis - Pain from compression
of the nerves within the spine |
|
|
Post-surgical failed back syndrome
- When an individual who has undergone
back surgery continues to experience
severe pain after the body has healed |
|
Our advantage is our full range
of minimally invasive spinal treatments
Dr. Brendel offers patients unsurpassed
expertise in a wide array of advanced spinal therapies.
They include:
Epidural Steroid Injections
These are highly effective for patients who suffer
from an irritated and/or inflamed nerve in a particular
section of the back or neck. Using state-of-the
art fluoroscopic x-ray guidance, Dr. Brendel carefully
injects a long-acting steroid formulation into
the exact location that is causing the pain. With
this non-invasive, non-surgical technique, patients
may experience significant relief often in a few
days with virtually no time off work.
Intradiscal procedures
These treatments are designed to repair damaged
spinal discs, thereby providing significant relief
for even severe and chronic pain. The two types
of intradiscal procedures Dr. Brendel performs
are:
• Percutaneous Discectomy -- This procedure
is extremely effective for patients who have a
bulging disc that is affecting a nerve root and
causing severe pain. Using advanced fluoroscopic
x-ray guidance, Dr. Brendel inserts a very small
instrument under the skin and gently removes the
bulging portion of the spinal disc. This minimally
invasive outpatient procedure takes under 1 hour.
You will often enjoy dramatic pain relief and
return to your normal activities in a couple of
days.
• Percutaneous Disc Decompression Catheter
-- This procedure is effective for patients who
have a bulging disc in a location that can’t
be reached with percutaneous discectomy. Dr. Brendel
uses a small catheter inserted under fluoroscopic
x-ray guidance, which generates radio waves and
virtually “shrinks” the disc wall
to bring it away from the nerve root. The result
of this minimally invasive procedure is significant,
lasting pain relief.
Neuromodulation
If you have undergone several spinal surgeries,
and still suffer from severe, chronic pain, Neuromodulation
may provide you with essential relief. Dr. Brendel
performs a brief procedure to implant electrodes
under the skin and behind the spinal cord. A battery-operated
pulse generator sends energy to these electrodes
that essentially blocks the pain signal coming
from the damaged disc or surgical site and sends
new signals that the brain identifies as pleasurable.
By essentially fooling the spinal cord, this innovative
method can often eliminate the need for further
spinal surgery and the pain and lengthy recovery
time it requires.
Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation
If a particular joint in your back is causing
your pain, Dr. Brendel can use this procedure
to disrupt the nerve associated with that joint
and virtually eliminate your pain. This minimally
invasive technique takes just an hour to perform,
and effectively numbs the nerve for 1-2 years.
When patients combine this with a successful strengthening
and rehabilitation program, it could prevent them
from needing this procedure again.
Vertebroplasty
This treatment is a breakthrough for patients
who have osteoporosis and have suffered a debilitating
vertebral compression fracture in the spine. Under
fluoroscopic x-ray guidance using local anesthesia,
Dr. Brendel injects a small amount of acrylic
bone cement inside the vertebrae to stabilize
the damaged area. Once this cement hardens (in
about an hour and a half), patients experience
dramatic and permanent pain relief and can resume
their normal daily activities within a few days.
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Every
year, millions of Americans suffer
from debilitating pain caused by spinal
conditions. And unfortunately, far
too many spend years undergoing numerous
treatments—often including major
surgery—without finding relief.