May 2, 2022 Authors : Elsa Verdasca | Hugo Reis | José Cardoso Interventional therapy for chronic pain management refers to non-surgical minimally invasive procedures. It can be performed as a complement to conventional drug therapy; The interventional technique selected depends on the cause of pain and medical history of the patient; Therapies are performed by doctors specialized and qualified in the treatment of chronic pain. There are different types of interventional therapies. They are guided using ultrasound and/or radiology , increasing their safety and efficacy; They usually involve the administration of drugs near the painful body region to diagnose and/or treat the cause of complaints. These drugs can be, for example, local anesthetics, corticosteroids, botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, among others; In more complex cases, the placement of devices that allow continuous analgesia may be required. The most common intervention techniques include: Ultrasound guided plexus and peripheral nerves block; Ultrasound guided infiltration of muscle and tendon; Ultrasound guided joint injection; Ultrasound guided caudal epidural injection; Pulsed or continuous radiofrequency; Cryotherapy. And they may be indicated in pain conditions such as the following: Backpain; Cervicalgia; Joint pain; Myofascial pain; Chronic pelvic pain; Post-surgical neuropathic pain; Trigeminal neuralgia; Cervicogenic headache; Peripheral neuropathic pain. Interventional techniques are an important therapeutic tool in chronic pain , to be used in a multidisciplinary context and included in an integrated therapeutic plan, after due evaluation in the Pain Consultation. Although they are usually complex procedures, their minimally invasive nature allows them to be performed on an outpatient basis , in which the patient is treated and returns home the same day, fulfilling all safety criteria. Meet the anesthesiology clinical team from Hopsital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
