My Treatment: Neuropathic Pain - Treatment Options: Invasive Procedures

Invasive Procedures

There are many types of invasive therapies that are used to treat neuropathic pain. These include injections of local anesthetics (lidocaine, for example) with or without steroids (medicine that reduces inflammation). Injections around painful nerves in the neck, low back, or other areas may have lasting benefit. Some invasive therapies involve placing stimulation devices — called spinal cord stimulators — in the spine or around nerves to modify the pain signals. Pain medications may also be given directly into the spine through an implanted pump to minimize troublesome side effects from oral pain medications. Finally, brain surgery to stimulate certain parts of the brain may be used in highly specialized cases of neuropathic pain that does not respond to other treatment types. For more information about implantable devices, click here.