Injections

SPINE TECHNOLOGY AND REHABILITATION

Pain Management Injections in Fort Wayne

Pain management injections can provide many benefits if you are suffering from pain. Not only does this treatment reduce pain symptoms, but it also improves your ability to participate in physical therapy. These injections are also used for diagnostic purposes to identify the underlying cause of your pain. Interventional pain management specialist Dr. Joseph Fortin, DO, at Spine Technology and Rehabilitation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers multiple types of injections to ease the pain. To learn more about pain-management injections, contact the office today by phone or online.

What types of injections are available?

At Spine Technology and Rehabilitation, Dr. Fortin  provides multiple types of navigation controlled injections to treat pain.

Image-guided injections he offers include:

Epidural steroid injection –

This is one of the most common procedures for pain caused by disks or from entrapped nerves in the spine. During the procedure, Fortin directly instills a potent corticosteroid into a targeted area of your spine to reduce swelling and inflammation.  Epidural steroid injection can offer pain relief as well as improved function for weeks, months, and at times years.

Sacroiliac joint injection -

A sacroiliac joint injection may be recommended if you’re experiencing pain in your lower back, buttocks, or legs. The injection contains an anesthetic and steroid to reduce pain and inflammation.

Nerve block –

Nerve block injections are used to either ease your pain or identify its source. Using guided imagery under fluoroscopy, Dr. Fortin injects medication containing an anesthetic and a steroid into or near the nerves suspected to be causing your pain.

Joint and soft tissue injections –

For joint conditions or soft-tissue injuries, Dr. Fortin offers an injection to ease pain, inflammation, and swelling. These injections are typically done under ultrasound guidance.

Regenerative medicine –

Using the latest technology in regenerative medicine,

Dr. Fortin offers innovative injections, including stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. These injections may be recommended to support healing and provide long-term pain relief.

The above injection procedures provide the added benefit of bolstering the rehabilitation process, while your pain and inflammation have been diminished; ultimately improving your function. Many of them can be repeated as needed.

Am I a good candidate for injections?

As an experienced interventional pain management physician and pain detective, Dr. Fortin determines if you are a good candidate for injections based on his broad and in-depth knowledge of the field. In order to find the root cause of your pain so that the right treatments can be provided, Dr. Fortin and his team conduct a thorough physical examination. They also speak with you about past treatments and medical history to gain a better understanding of your condition. He may also order imaging tests to further diagnose your condition.

What happens during an injection appointment?

Details of your injection will depend on the type of injection you need. Dr. Fortin and his team will thoroughly review what you can expect so that you know how to prepare for your appointment. To ensure the accuracy of your injections, Dr. Fortin uses guided imagery like fluoroscopy or ultrasound. He also utilizes imaging such as MRI or x-rays during your treatment.

To learn more about the use of injections for your pain condition, call Spine Technology and Rehabilitation or request an appointment online today.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that managing pain can be complex, and Spine Technology and Rehabilitation is here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your care. Below are some of our most frequent questions asked about injections; learn more below about this treatment option.

Back or neck injections for pain management can provide significant benefits for patients suffering from chronic or acute pain. Unlike traditional pain management treatments such as medication or surgery, injections are targeted directly at the source of pain and can provide both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. Injections can help identify the root cause of pain, reduce inflammation and swelling, and improve function and physical therapy participation.

Our team of pain specialists, led by our interventional pain management physician Dr. Fortin, takes a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, ensuring that our providers identify the root cause of your pain.

We conduct thorough physical examination procedures, speak with you about past treatments and medical history, and may also order imaging tests to diagnose your condition further. 

Based on this information, Dr. Fortin will recommend the appropriate pain management injection for your chronic condition, whether it be an epidural steroid injection, sacroiliac joint injection, nerve block, or regenerative medicine injection — such as stem cell or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

Injections assist in alleviating both acute and chronic pain. Epidural steroid injections, sacroiliac joint injections, nerve blocks, and joint and soft tissue injections can provide significant pain relief, reduce inflammation, and improve function. 

Our providers at STAR administer injections with the latest technology using navigation equipment (guided imagery), such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound, to ensure accuracy. The benefits of these injections are that they are targeted and minimally invasive. However, occasionally some side effects can also be associated with these treatments. The most common side effects are mild soreness at the site, or a temporary exacerbation of symptoms.

At Spine Technology and Rehabilitation, our doctors understand that chronic pain can be debilitating and significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Our team of providers take a multidisciplinary approach to treat pain, including pain management injections, physical therapy, integrative medicine (focusing on lifestyle) as well as other treatments as needed. 

This approach allows us to address pain from multiple angles, providing comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs. By addressing the cause and diagnosis of pain, we aim to not only alleviate symptoms, but to improve function and quality of life for our patients with a simple interventional pain management relief treatment.

There are many advantages to using image-guided injections for pain management. It helps increase injections’ accuracy by using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound strategies. This technology ensures that the treatment is delivered to the precise injury location that requires treatment, reducing the chances of complications. Additionally, it allows us to monitor the procedure in real-time and make adjustments as needed, making it a safer option for each patient.

Before your pain management injections appointment, patients will receive instructions on how to best prepare. During the appointment, the patient will have an initial consultation; we may perform imaging tests and after the tests, we will administer the injection using image-guidance techniques. 

Post-procedure, the patient may experience some discomfort or chronic pain relief and may be prescribed medication and instructed to rest, and we may schedule follow-up appointments. 

Physical or other treatment may be recommended as part of the therapy. It’s essential to follow the post-injection instructions provided by Dr. Fortin and his team.

The most common form of pain management is injections. Injections help identify and ease pain as well as support healing and recovery. Dr. Fortin and the team at STAR offer a variety of different types of injections, like stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), joint and soft tissue injection, sacroiliac joint injections and more.

STAR Pain Management is aimed at eliminating, not causing pain. The team at STAR focus on non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments and pain management practices that ensure long-term wellness.

It’s important to not panic because added stress, anxiety and panic is not helpful on your body. Although pain is uncomfortable, there are treatment options available to you and the STAR team will create a custom plan to help alleviate your pain.

If over-the-counter medicine is not helping you with your pain, you need a pain management plan. At STAR, we build plans for each of our patients based on their medical history, type of pain and location of pain.