Before ultrasound became a revolutionizing staple in the field of pain medicine, some brilliant, forward-thinking doctors used X-Ray (fluoroscopy) to add vision to their pain injections. But with these tools came drawbacks. Firstly, while fluoroscopy is excellent for viewing bones and spread of contrast, they do not let us see the intricate detail of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Secondly, they emit radiation, which means that they should only be used on an ‘as necessary’ basis. In our effort to provided safe, accurate and effective injections, about 10-15 years ago our field began using ultrasound to make major improvements. Not only is it 100% safe, ultrasound immediately transformed pain medicine patient outcomes.
Treating Back Pain Without Surgery
If you are considering back surgery because of a pain issue, it might not even be the most expedient treatment for you as it will not always alleviate or mitigate pain. Unless your back issue is neurological or an instance of instability of the spine, surgery simply is not your best course of treatment. If you suffer from muscular or myofascial pain, lumbar facet arthropathy or lumbar disc herniation, amongst other back pain issues, your best bet is to treat your back pain without surgery. Read my blog for the full details of the non-surgical treatments I recommend.