Patient Education

Pain Management – What to Expect

The treatment plan will be an evolution depending upon earlier interventions, surgeries, and imaging studies.  Educating the patient to the understanding of the cause and treatment of the pain will always be the emphasis of the doctor patient relationship.

An understandable treatment plan will be tailored to the cause of the pain.

Injection therapy is directed under fluoroscopic guidance, and can range from epidural treatment, to facet injections, to major joint injections, to sympathetic blocks.  Medications are also utilized with the emphasis on minimizing narcotic usage.  Various medication classes are employed, and often times antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or compounded creams are prescribed.

If pain control is suboptimal, despite simpler options, more complex treatment plans are used.  Patients may progress to implantable devices, including spinal cord stimulators or intrathecal programmable pumps.

The goal of treatment is to return to a functional lifestyle.  This includes sleeping throughout the night, working, doing household choirs, and enjoying social activities.

Crimson Pain Management is now offering Minuteman Therapy

What is the Minuteman?

The Minuteman® is a minimally invasive, interspinous-interlaminar fusion device intended for the fixation and stabilization of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine while awaiting bony fusion to occur The Minuteman® is designed for attachment to the posterior non-cervical spine at the spinous processes through its bilateral locking plates, and it is intended for use with bone graft material placed within the device. It provides immobilization and stabilization of the spinal segments. The core threaded post allows for optimal placement and a wide range of sizes allows for enhanced anatomical fit. The Minuteman® is delivered sterile and individually packed.

How is the Minuteman Procedure performed?

During the procedure, a 1-inch incision is made on the side of your body, dilation is used to access the spine, and the Minuteman® is implanted with bone graft material. The lateral approach does not require dissection or stripping of the sensitive back muscles, bones or nerves.This advantageous approach may lead to a shorter operative time, less blood loss, reduced hospital stay, and a faster recovery time. Watch our animation below.

How is the Minuteman different from traditional back surgery?

  • Significantly longer procedure time
  • In-patient hospital Stay (can be several days)
  • Requires larger incision
  • Ligaments, tendons and muscles can be destroyed
  • Increased risk of surgical complications. i.e., nerve damage
  • Increased blood loss
  • Reduced procedure time
  • Same day, outpatient surgery
  • Minimal tissue disruption
  • Decrease blood loss
  • 1-inch incision
  • Supraspinous ligament Multifidus muscle stay intact
  • Reduces risk of damaging neural and vascular structures

What are the potential benefits of the Minuteman procedure?

The Minuteman may provide the following benefits: 
  • Reduced procedure time 
  • Decreased blood loss 
  • Same day surgery 
  • 1-inch incision 
  • Little to no post-op pain
  • Ability to place at L5-S1 
  • Minimal tissue disruption 
  • Supraspinous Ligament remains intact

Is the Minuteman procedure right for me?

The following questions will help determine if the Minuteman® System is right for you: 

  • Does your back or leg pain worsen with prolonged standing or walking?
  • Does your back or leg pain improve while you are sitting? 
  • Does leaning forward improve your pain? 
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, Ask if the Minuteman Procedure  may be right for you.

Find Out More

Where can I learn more about the Minuteman procedure?

Crimson Pain Management is now offering HF10 therapy

Services We Offer

Injection Therapy

Many types of injections can be used to treat small or large regions ranging from epidural treatment, facet injections, to major joint injections.

Surgical Imaging

Surgical Imaging

Fluoroscopic Imaging allows a live view of many procedures ensuring a high level of precision when administering medications.

spinal pump

Device Implants

An intrathecal pump delivers small amounts of medication to a target area while spinal cord stimulators use small electric impulses.

Types of Pain

  • Low Back Pain

    “Low back pain can happen anywhere below the ribs and above the legs. The lower back camera is the connection between the upper and lower body, and it bears most of the body’s weight. So it’s pretty easy to hurt your back when you lift, reach, or twist. In fact, almost everyone has low back pain at one time or another.”  WebMD

  • Neck Pain

    “Neck and shoulder pain can be classified in many different ways. Some people experience only neck pain or only shoulder pain, while others experience pain in both areas.” WebMD

  • Knee Pain

    “Knee pain can be caused by a sudden injury, an overuse injury, or by an underlying condition, such as arthritis. Treatment will vary depending on the cause. Symptoms of knee injury can include pain, swelling, and stiffness.” WebMD

  • Hip Pain

    “Despite its durability, the hip joint isn’t indestructible. With age and use, the cartilage can wear down or become damaged. Muscles and tendons in the hip can get overused. The hip bone itself can be fractured during a fall or other injury. Any of these conditions can lead to hip pain.” WebMD

  • Foot Pain

    “Pain in the foot can be due to a problem in any part of the foot. Bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, fascia, toenail beds, nerves, blood vessels, or skin can be the source of foot pain.” WebMD