Image Guided Pain Management

What is Pain Management?

Pain management therapies treat painful or uncomfortable conditions by injecting medication into affected areas, blocking pain nerves, or promoting healing.

These therapies are beneficial because they:

• help reduce the amount of pain medication you must take
• help you perform physiotherapy with greater comfort
• allow you to maintain daily activities while awaiting other treatments such as surgery, or if very successful, to avoid surgery altogether

What areas do we treat?

Peripheral

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Spinal

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What therapies are used?

A variety of injectable therapies are used in pain management procedures.

Cortisone

Cortisone is a steroid that acts as an anti-inflammatory and can be injected into soft tissue and joints. It is helpful for treating pain caused by arthritis, injury or inflammation around a tendon.

Monovisc^®

Monovisc ^® is a joint lubricating fluid option that is used for the symptomatic treatment of OA pain in large joints.
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Synolis

Synolis is a unique combination of hyaluronic acid and sorbitol, which is lubricating and used for the symptomatic treatment of OA pain in joints.
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Cingal^™

Cingal is a single injection containing both a steroid + hyaluronic acid joint lubricating fluid option that is used for immediate and long-lasting pain relief.
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SportVis^™

SportVis is a hyaluronic acid injection treatment that is clinically demonstrated to relieve pain and restore function in damaged tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue. Great for tendinitis type issues (tennis elbow).
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Botox^®

Botox^® is a purified complex protein indicated in the treatment of adults with chronic migraine headaches.
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DUROLANE

DUROLANE is a single injection treatment to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis in large joints. *An alternative to Monovisc.
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Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

In this procedure, your blood is drawn and centrifuged to extract platelet rich plasma a concentrated source of healing factors. This is then injected back into the affected area to enhance the natural healing process and reduce pain. This injection is commonly used to treat injured tendons.
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Radiofrequency Neurotomy (RFN)

This procedure involves applying heat to a specific nerve path in the spine. Disrupting this pathway stops pain signals to the brain and alleviates or eliminates pain. This procedure is often used to treat facet joint and sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block (SPG)

The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a collection of nerve cells located under the tissue lining in the back of the nose. These nerve cells are closely associated with the trigeminal nerve, the main nerve involved in frontal headaches. In this procedure, the radiologist will insert a small, soft catheter into the patient’s nasal passage under fluoroscopic guidance. Once the device is in place, medication (freezing) is delivered through the device to the mucus membrane over the sphenopalatine ganglion.

Discography

A discography is an interventional diagnostic imaging test that helps determine whether a specific intervertebral disc may be the source of back pain and to guide the treatment of abnormal discs. These procedures also may be performed prior to surgery to help identify discs that need to be treated or removed.

What imaging is used?

Pain Management injections utilize imaging to guide medication or therapies to specific areas. This allows for accurate needle placement and effective delivery of the medication to the area.

• Fluoroscopy uses digital x-ray technology to produce real time images.
• Ultrasound uses inaudible high frequency sound waves to produce real time images.

How long will the injection last?

Results vary by individual. It might take anywhere from two days to two weeks before your condition improves. On average, steroid injections provide 3– 6 months of pain relief.

How often can I receive injections?

We recommend steroid injections occur no more than once every three months in a given body part. The frequency of injection varies according to the kind of therapy used.

Physiotherapy Program

After your injection, Canada Diagnostic Centres recommends physiotherapy for most patients to assist with pain reduction and recovery. By going to physiotherapy, you may help prolong the benefits of the procedure and improve your recovery.

Where Do I Get Physiotherapy?

We have partnered with trusted, leading physiotherapists in Alberta. Information regarding our preferred provider will be handed to you after your injection. You may also receive physiotherapy through any existing qualified physiotherapist.

Is Physiotherapy Covered?

Physiotherapy is not covered by Alberta Health Care under most circumstances. There are a number of funding options available, including:

• Your extended health benefit plans
• Health spending accounts
• Low income or AISH programs
• WCB
• MVA insurance benefits
• RCMP, DVA, or Alberta School Employee Benefit Plans