Understanding Fluoroscopic (X-Ray) Guided Injections

Fluoroscopic-guided injections refer to a medical procedure that accurately delivers medications/therapeutic substances to a targeted area of the body. Fluoroscopic (X-ray) Guided Injections are effective in the treatment of various inflammatory and painful conditions. If you would like to learn how x-ray-guided injections can offer pain relief, contact Rehabilitation Physicians with offices in Novi & Howell, MI.

Understanding Fluoroscopic (X-Ray) Guided Injections

Fluoroscopic (X-ray) Guided Injections employ an imaging technique (that uses fluoroscopy) in which continuous and live digital images of the body’s internal structures are provided to healthcare or medical professionals in real time. What makes this unique is that this synchronized visualization allows for the precise placement of an injection used to deliver medicine or to perform as a diagnostic tool.

Conditions Treated by Fluoroscopic (X-Ray) Guided Injections

Fluoroscopic-guided injections have both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. The conditions they can potentially treat or identify include -  

Pain Management

Injections of epidural steroids help to relieve pain by mitigating inflammation that may be caused by spinal stenosis or a herniated disc, to name a few.  

Joint Injections

Facet Joint Injections

These types of injections target the vertebrae’s small joints, reducing arthritic or other joint-related pain and stiffness. 

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injections

The sacroiliac joint, which is located where the pelvis and spine meet, may generate hip and back pain that can be addressed using these guided injections.  

Intra-articular Joint Injections

Injections that are intra-articular – which means inside the joint, deliver medications to help reduce the painful symptoms created by inflammatory diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, as well as joint injuries.

Nerve Blocks

Guided injections can offer pain relief for conditions impacting the nerves – i.e., neuralgia, neuropathy, etc. 

Spinal Procedures

Myelography

A diagnostic procedure that offers detailed images of the spinal cord, which are often not usually clearly seen on a standard X-ray. 

Spinal Tap 

This technique is used diagnostically but can also be used to deliver medication to targeted areas of the spine.

The Benefits of Fluoroscopic-Guided Injections 

Guided injections offer increased effectiveness of the injection due to the precise placement of the needle, which delivers meds to the affected area directly. In addition, having real-time visualization reduces the risk of procedural complications or other systemic side effects. Finally, fluoroscopy can be valuable diagnostically, offering real-time insight to medical professionals.

Contact Rehabilitation Physicians for a Consultation Today

If you live or work in and around Novi & Howell, MI, and would like additional information to determine if the approach is suitable for you, contact a member of our professional staff at (248) 893-3200 or online.