FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is pain management?
Answer: Pain management involves use of multiple pain relieving medicines, interventional procedures, physical therapy and psychological therapy.


2. What kind of pain we manage?
Answer: We manage neck, back, arm, leg, joint, chest and muscle pain. We also manage headaches.


3. Will my pain be gone for ever?
Answer: Pain treatments/injections are often temporary, giving you relief from 4 -12 weeks. The most important thing is that you get involved in a regular and consistent exercise program to strengthen your core and back muscles, once your pain is better.


4. What do you inject?
Answer: We inject DepoMedrol (a steroid) and a local anesthetic called Bupivacaine or Lidocaine.


5. Do you prescribe medications?
Answer: We do prescribe NSAID's, muscle relaxants, anti-neuropathic pain medicine, and Opiates. (including oral, buccal and transdermal opiates)


6. What is anti neuropathic pain medicine?
Answer: These medicines include Neurontin, Cymbalta, Savella, Lyrica, Topamax, and Depakot. These medications decrease nerve related pain. Nerve related pain can occur in Diabetes, trigeminal neuralgia, Post herpetic neuralgia (shingles), peripheral neuropathy, lumbar disc herniation, after hernia surgery, and cervical disc herniation.


7. What is radiofrequency ablation or RFA?
Answer: RFA is a procedure where needles are placed close to small joint in your neck, low back or chest and a certain nerve or nerves are heated at 80 degrees for 90 seconds. This results in blockage of pain signals and pain relief which can last as long as one year.


8. Do the nerves regenerate after RFA?
Answer: Yes.


9. Do I have to be NPO ( nothing per oral) for the procedure?
Answer: No, if you are having only local anesthesia, you can eat a light meal. If you are having intravenous sedation, we mandate not to eat or drink any thing for 8 hours before the procedure.


10. Why is my urine sample taken during my appointment?
Answer: We need to confirm the drugs you are taking. We also examine urine to confirm the presence of opiates, cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, Ketamine, Benzodiazepines.


11: Will I be given medications on the first visit?
Answer: No. First visit is only for evaluation and management plan. Urine toxicology results also takes 3-5 days to come back to us.


12: How are the procedures done?
Answer: Procedures are done in the procedure room under direct X ray guidance.


13: Are your physicians experienced?
Answer: Dr. Khan has been doing pain management since 2005 and Dr. Hummel since 2008. Both physicians are very competent and neither of them have had any major complications.


14: How quickly I will be seen?
Answer: Every effort is made to see a patient with in half to one hour of arrival time. If you have access to our web site , you can print out the new patient or follow up patient forms from the internet, fill them out and bring with you on your appointment date. This will help expedite your appointment.


15: Is the physician available after regular work hours?
Answer: Yes, a physician is available to you 24 hours a day /365 days a year. He is only one phone call away. The physician should only be contacted in case of emergency after regular work hours. Medication refills are not done during off hours.

16: What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Answer: Spinal Cord Stimulation (or Dorsal Column Stimulation) is an invasive procedure for pain management. It involves placing one or two very thin leads (wires) close to your spinal cord to relieve pain. X ray is used to place the wires. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy are commonly treated with this therapy.

17: How does Spine Cord Stimulation decrease pain?
Answer: Spinal Cord Stimulation works by blocking bad pain signals and replacing them with paresthesias and tingling.

18: What are the indications of Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Answer: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, neuropathic pain and uncontrollable limb, chest or arm pain.

19: Will my insurance cover the cost of Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Answer: A prior authorization or a precertification is required in most cases. Our office staff will be working closely with your insurance to get you approved for your procedure. You must question or find out your deductable amount.

20: What can be the complications of Spinal Cord Stimulation procedure?
Answer:  Infection, bleeding and nerve damage are rare complications.  Spinal headaches are somewhat more common , up to 1%.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today, 7813522338