Helping You Find Relief and Return to the Activities You Enjoy
Living with ongoing pain can affect nearly every part of daily life – from sleep and mobility to work, family activities and overall well-being.
At Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Therapeutic Pain Management uses image-guided interventional radiology procedures to help diagnose and treat certain types of back, neck, joint and musculoskeletal pain.
These minimally invasive procedures are performed in the Medical Imaging Department by an interventional radiologist and may help reduce pain, identify its source and improve function.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for several months or longer. It may result from an injury, arthritis, spine conditions, musculoskeletal problems or other underlying conditions.
When pain continues over time, it can interfere with sleep, activity, work and quality of life. For some patients, image-guided pain management procedures may provide another treatment option.
How Interventional Pain Management Works
Interventional radiology pain management procedures use imaging technology to guide a small needle precisely to the area being treated.
Depending on the condition and type of procedure, medication may be injected into the spine, back or joints. Injections may contain an anesthetic, steroid medication or a combination of treatments designed to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
These procedures may be used to:
- Help identify the source of pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Provide pain relief
- Improve mobility and function
- Help patients return to normal activities
What to Expect
Most therapeutic pain management procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and typically take about 30 minutes.
Depending on the area being treated, you may be positioned on your stomach or back on an imaging table. The treatment area is cleaned, and a local anesthetic is used to numb the skin before the injection is performed.
Because imaging is used throughout the procedure, the physician is able to place the medication precisely in the area being treated.
After Your Procedure
Patients are generally advised to avoid driving, strenuous activity and alcohol for the remainder of the day following the procedure.
Normal activities can usually be resumed the following day, based on the instructions provided by your care team.
Some soreness at the injection site may occur for a few days. An ice pack may be used for short periods to help relieve discomfort.
About Dr. David Gutschenritter
Dr. David Gutschenritter is an interventional radiologist at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. A native of Neodesha, Kansas, he returned to Southeast Kansas to practice and has provided interventional radiology care since 2013.
He is board certified in Interventional Radiology.
Learn More
Therapeutic Pain Management may not be appropriate for every type of pain. Your provider can help determine whether an image-guided pain management procedure may be an option for you.
For more information about Therapeutic Pain Management at CRMC, contact the Interventional Radiology Nurse at 620-252-1179.