Positive outcomes for these procedures
varies based on the treatment and the
individual patient, but are generally very
high. Most patients experience relief
within 5-7 days and report an improved
quality of life.
Interventional pain management
procedures are also far less expensive
than surgery. In an era of high insurance
deductibles and co-pays, the out-ofpocket
expenses for these procedures
can be much less for the patient than
surgery, especially if they are performed
at an outpatient surgery center versus a
hospital.
“More than $4 billion is spent on surgical
treatment for back pain, and degenerative
disc disease is one of the most common
causes of pain requiring surgery,” says
Joyce Vollmer, CEO of Lakeland Vascular
Institute and its parent company Radiology
& Imaging Specialists. “Hundreds of
millions of healthcare dollars could be
saved if people try an interventional pain
management radiology approach first.
About 8% of people will likely eventually
need surgery, but the vast majority of
patients will achieve significant and
lasting relief without going under the
knife.”
If a patient is a candidate for one of the
pain management procedures, he or she
will first undergo an evaluation, and that
may include an MRI examination. “Not
all of our patients receive injections,”
Dr. Suthar points out. “We start with
a consultation and a comprehensive
diagnosis. For many, non-opioid
medications or physical therapy may
solve the problem, and we may try this
approach first. If pain persists, we can
then look at doing a minimally invasive
procedure.”
In addition to back, neck and joint
pain, interventional pain management
procedures are also used to treat
postherpetic neuralgia (a common
complication of shingles), complex
regional pain syndrome (CRPS), abdominal
pain caused by cancer or pancreatitis,
muscle spasms and knots, migraine
headaches and a host of other nerverelated
pain disorders.
“For a patient whose pain is not adequately
controlled with conventional treatment,
or who does not wish to be on a perpetual
pain medication regimen, there is now
another option,” Dr. Suthar adds. “There
is a good chance that they can be treated
less invasively, with lower overall cost and
with less risk, which are always the primary
goals in medicine.”
For more information about interventional
pain management radiology, please
visit www.LakelandVascular.com or call
863.577.0316.
1305 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland, FL
Call for an appointment
863.577.0316
www.lakelandvascular.com
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