What is botulinum toxin? The bacterial botulinum toxin refined into a drug called Botox, among other formulations. It can smooth fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing underlying facial muscles, it can reduce nerve pain and relax spasming muscles. Botulinum toxin is one of nature’s most poisonous biological substances. It is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria …
Read More »Tag Archives: chronic pain
Can Botulinum Toxin Be Used for Pain Relief?
What is botulinum toxin? Botox and its analogs, widely administered for cosmetic purposes, can also reduce chronic pain by deadening nerves and/or releasing the pressure on the nerves from adjacent spasming muscles. Botulinum toxin is one of the most toxic biological substances found on earth, produced by anaerobic bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin excreted by …
Read More »What Is a Piriformis Injection Used to Treat?
What is piriformis syndrome? Sometimes the piriformis muscle can become irritated, swollen, and tight due to injury and twitching. It can then press upon the nearby sciatic nerve. The pyriformis syndrome is a painful neuromuscular condition that develops due to abnormal tightening of the pyriformis muscle situated near the hip joint. The tight muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve …
Read More »What Happens During a Coccygectomy? Tailbone Surgery
What is a coccygectomy? Generally, orthopedic or spinal surgeons perform the surgery. Coccygectomy is usually done under general anesthesia. Coccygectomy is the surgical removal of the tailbone (coccyx). It is done in the cases of pain in the tailbone region (coccydynia) when conservative treatment options, such as rest, painkillers, physiotherapy, and steroid injections, have failed. The surgery is not commonly …
Read More »What Happens During a Fistulotomy? Procedure to Remove Infection
What are the symptoms of anal fistula? Anal fistula patient with constant pain which gets worse with cough, sitting down, moving around, and defecation. An anal fistula is a small tunnel or opening that develops between the end of the anus and near the anal skin (where poop/feces leaves the body). An anal fistula usually develops due to infection and the collection …
Read More »How Long Does a TAP Block Last?
What is a TAP block? A TAP or transversus abdominis plane block numbs the abdominal muscles and skin in preparation for surgery. A transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a procedure to anesthetize the nerves that provide sensation and muscle function to the abdominal wall and skin. For a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, an anesthetic injection is administered in …
Read More »How Is a Lumber Facetectomy Performed?
How is a lumbar facetectomy performed? A lumbar facetectomy is a surgical procedure to remove facet joints partially or completely in the lumbar vertebrae of the low back. Vertebrae are the chain of bones that form the backbone, which protects the spinal cord. The vertebrae are attached together by facet joints, which provide stability and flexibility to the backbone. An …
Read More »What Is a Lumbar Facetectomy?
What is a lumbar facetectomy? A lumbar facetectomy is the removal of the facet joints from one or more vertebrae in the lower back. A lumbar facetectomy is a surgical procedure to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots that pass close to the facet joints of the lumbar spine in the low back. During a lumbar facetectomy the surgeon …
Read More »How Long Does a Deep Peroneal Nerve Block Last?
What is a deep peroneal nerve block? A deep peroneal nerve block is an anesthetic injection to numb the foot for surgical procedures. A deep peroneal nerve block is a procedure to anesthetize the web space between the big toe and the toe adjacent to it. An anesthetic injection is administered at the midpoint in the lower front of the …
Read More »How Long Does a Superficial Peroneal Nerve Block Last?
What is a superficial peroneal nerve block? A superficial peroneal nerve block is an injection to numb the leg and top of the foot. A superficial peroneal nerve block is a procedure to anesthetize a portion of the lower leg and the upper (dorsal) foot. A line of anesthetic injections are administered at the lower end of the front of …
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