Spinal Blocks and Pain Management Procedures
At Pax Medicus, we collaborate with leading pain specialists who perform advanced, image-guided spinal procedures designed to relieve chronic back pain, reduce inflammation, and restore comfort. Our minimally invasive techniques, such as spinal blocks, thermoablation, and cryoablation, aim to help patients regain mobility and improve quality of life.
Spinal Block
A spinal block is a pain management procedure used to relieve pain caused by spinal degeneration, discopathy, intervertebral disc bulging or herniation, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), and spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebra over another). It is also an effective treatment for patients experiencing severe spinal pain while awaiting surgery, and for those who are unable to undergo full rehabilitation or surgery due to other health conditions or obesity.
During the procedure, a pain relief medication (usually a corticosteroid) combined with a local anaesthetic is injected under X-ray guidance. This provides pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-swelling effects. The medication can be administered in several ways, depending on the source of pain:
Pain relief is often felt immediately, although it may take 3–10 days to reach full effect. Around 70% of patients report significant improvement. The procedure is considered safe, though temporary numbness or tingling may occur for a few hours afterwards.
Contraindications include active skin or bacterial infections at the injection site, bleeding disorders, allergy to the medication used, pregnancy, severe gastric ulcers, or uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes.
Procedure time
~30 minutes
Anaesthesia
Local with X-ray guidance
Effectiveness
~70% of patients
Cryoablation (Nerve Freezing)
Cryoablation, sometimes referred to as “nerve freezing” or “nerve hibernation”, involves blocking nerve signal transmission using extremely low temperatures (down to –70 °C). The procedure is performed percutaneously under local anaesthesia, guided by ultrasound or X-ray imaging to precisely target the affected nerve.
The orthopaedic specialist inserts a slim probe near the damaged nerve tissue and releases a cold gas, usually nitrous oxide. The extreme cold temporarily disrupts the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals without permanently damaging the structure. The entire process takes about 30–60 minutes.
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive and highly effective method, providing relief for about 70% of patients. It is used for various types of spinal and neuropathic pain, including pain following surgery, trauma, or amputation, as well as chronic pain conditions such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and frozen shoulder.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day. Complications such as frostbite or mild skin irritation are rare, and recovery is typically quick. Patients should avoid heavy lifting or excessive spinal strain for about two months post-treatment.
Temperature
Up to –70 °C
Duration
30–60 minutes
Effectiveness
~70% success rate
Thermoablation (Nerve Heating)
Thermoablation, or radiofrequency ablation, involves applying controlled heat (70–90 °C) to the damaged nerve to stop pain signal transmission. This technique is recommended for patients with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spinal pain caused by degenerative joint disease, neuropathies, neuralgias, or metastatic cancer pain.
The procedure, performed under local anaesthesia and guided by ultrasound or X-ray, lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. A special needle fitted with an electrode is inserted near the affected nerve root, and radiofrequency current is applied to produce a small thermal lesion, interrupting pain pathways.
Thermoablation achieves lasting pain relief in around 60% of patients. It is a safe, minimally invasive outpatient treatment that requires no hospital stay. Patients usually go home 2–3 hours after the procedure and notice gradual improvement within 3–4 weeks.
Temperature
70–90 °C
Procedure time
15–30 minutes
Effectiveness
~60% success rate
Your journey step by step
Assessment & pain history review
Bloods, blood pressure, medication review
Local anaesthesia & image-guided injection
Short observation period & home same day
Review & ongoing pain management plan
Review & ongoing pain management plan
Disclaimer
*The Pax Medicus website provides information for guidance only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pax Medicus does not provide healthcare services and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional. Always seek advice from your physician regarding any medical condition. Prices shown are indicative only and subject to confirmation by the healthcare provider. This is the official website of Pax Medicus; we do not operate through agents or third-party sites.
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