Some Common Uses for Pain Management

A pain management is a treatment plan that is centered on the patient's ability to function and their quality of life. When pain is chronic or complicated by other medical conditions, the patient's primary care physician may refer the patient to a pain specialist, like Dr. Beerbower. Dr. Beerbower is a Neuroradiologist that also has advanced training in Interventional Pain Management (IPM). IPM is an area of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of pain related disorders. Primarily, our concern is to relieve, reduce, or manage pain and help patients return to everyday activities quickly without surgery or heavy reliance on medication.

What should I expect?

All patients that come to Fairmont Diagnostic Center for Pain Management procedures begin with a Pain Evaluation. During your initial meeting, you will undergo a thorough physical exam during which Dr. Beerbower and his staff will evaluate your current condition and pain level, as well as review your medical history. This will give you quality time with Dr. Beerbower and provide an opportunity for you ask any questions you may have. Upon completion of your evaluation, Dr. Beerbower will recommend a treatment plan that will have you well on your way to being pain free!

What willI experience?

The most common types of pain management procedures are epidural steroid injection, facet injection, selective nerve root block, radio-frequency Neurotomy, myelogram, and
discogram. Each procedure is slightly different, but what you will experience is mostly the same no matter what type of injection you have.

You will need to plan of being with us for several hours. Please wear something comfortable and warm (the building tends to be chillyfor most people). When you check in, you will have consent forms to fill out. You may have plain x-rays prior to your procedure to allow Dr. Beerbower to view your basic spinal structure. From x-ray, you will be taken to the special procedures room where you will receive an IV for the administration of medications to relax you and ease your discomfort. Dr. Beerbower will meet with you, and discuss any questions or concerns that you might have. In addition, the nurse is available to you before, during, and/or after your procedure for your convenience. You will then be positioned on your stomach (usually) for the procedure. Your skin will be cleaned with a special antiseptic solution, and numbed with a tiny needle containing lidocaine. This part of the procedure stings like a bee for a few seconds.

During the procedure, you will feel pressure and/or an increased amount of your usualtype pain when Dr. Beerbower injects the medication into the epidural space. Dr. Beerbower will be asking you exactly what you are feeling during the procedure to assist in determining the source of your pain. Pain medication will be administered through your IV during the procedure to ease any discomfort or anxiety that you may be having. You will have several people with you during the procedure to ensure that you are warm
and as comfortable as possible. The time it takes for the actual treatment depends on how many epidural areas have been ordered to be injected. One procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.

When the procedure is over, you will be taken to the recovery room for 1 Y, hours where we will give you something to eat and drink. There is television and music for your enjoyment while you are staying during your recovery time. The nurse will be with you monitoring your pain relief, vital signs, and making sure that you are as comfortable as possible. Please arrange a driver to take and pick you up, as the pain/anxiety medications will impair your ability to drive.