Fluoroscopic Guided Injection

What is a fluoroscopic-guided injection?

Fluoroscopy is a type of imaging that uses X-rays to produce real-time, moving images of structures inside your body. The same technique is used to let doctors see a needle as it’s inserted into your body.

In interventional pain management therapies, fluoroscopic-guided injections ensure the needle is placed on or near a specific nerve. For regenerative therapies, fluoroscopy allows your doctor to place the needle at damaged tissues in a joint.

What procedures are performed using fluoroscopic-guided injections?

Two basic types of procedures are done using fluoroscopic-guided injections: injections of medications and treatments such as ablation, which uses a hollow needle to administer radiofrequency waves.

While numerous procedures fall into these two categories, they’re all primarily performed to relieve chronic pain, reduce inflammation, and help restore normal movement.

These are a few examples of procedures that use fluoroscopic-guided injections:

• Radiofrequency ablation
• Radiofrequency neurotomy
• Nerve blocks
• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections (joints in the spine)
• Joint injections (joints outside the spine)

Joints outside the spine are typically treated for degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. These injections contain substances that promote healing, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M).

When the goal is to relieve chronic pain, your doctor at Deschutes Surgery Center targets nerve, and the injections contain a local anesthetic and a steroid. The anesthetic medication quickly but temporarily alleviates your pain, while steroids reduce inflammation and deliver longer-lasting pain relief.

What should I expect during a fluoroscopic-guided injection?

Fluoroscopic-guided injections are done with a local anesthetic to minimize your discomfort and a sedative, when needed, to help you relax and tolerate the procedure. It’s often important for you to be awake during the procedure so that you can give your doctor immediate feedback on your pain.

During your procedure, you’ll lie on an X-ray table while your doctor at Deschutes Surgery Center administers your injection. Although you may feel slight discomfort, most patients describe it as feeling pressure as the needle is inserted.

After your procedure, you’ll stay in the surgery center for a short time, then you’ll go home. Whether you can return to your normal activities, or your activities are restricted, depends on the type of procedure performed.

If you need a fluoroscopic-guided injection, you can depend on the experienced team at Deschutes Surgery Center. Contact them at Central Oregon Spine & Sports.