Diagnostic Technique
Other Diagnostic Procedures
There are a range of diagnostic procedures that can be used to help diagnose your condition.
These are usually done as an outpatient in a hospital or day surgery clinic. Your specialist will provide the necessary referrals and our clinical administration team will assist with all parts of the admissions process.
To find out more about these diagnostic procedures, please view the videos below and feel free to download the associated information brochure.
Procedures
Medial Branch Block
A medial branch block is performed to identify a painful facet joint. The facet joints are the joints between the vertebrae in the spine. They allow the spine to bend, flex and twist.
Facet Joint Injection
A facet joint injection is a diagnostic tool to determine the source of back or neck pain. It may also be used to provide temporary pain relief.
Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
This injection is used to diagnose the source and help relieve neck, upper back, shoulder and arm pain.
Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
This injection is used to diagnose and relieve lower back and radiating leg pain.
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
This procedure is used to treat chronic back pain following a successful lumbar facet joint injection. It involves stopping the nerves associated with the facet joints from sending pain signals to the brain.
Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture
This procedure is used to sample the cerebrospinal fluid, CSF, which bathes the spinal cord, nerve roots and the brain.
Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection
a caudal epidural steroid injection is used to diagnose and provide relief from lower back and leg pain.
Cervical Facet Joint Radiofrequency Neurotomy/Rhizotomy
This procedure is used to treat chronic neck pain following a successful cervical facet joint injection. It involves stopping the nerves associated with the facet joints from sending pain signals to the brain.
Lumbar Facet Joint Radiofrequency Neurotomy/Rhizotomy
This procedure is used to treat chronic back pain following a successful lumbar facet joint injection. It involves stopping the nerves associated with the facet joints from sending pain signals to the brain.
Lumbar Discography
A lumbar discogram is a diagnostic procedure used to determine if back pain is caused by problems with one or more discs. The procedure involves pressurising discs with an injection of sterile liquid to induce pain in the affected discs.
Electromyography (EMG)
EMG is a diagnostic procedure that is used to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. It involves needle electrodes being inserted directly into the muscle to record electrical activity.
Nerve Conduction Studies
Nerve conduction studies are used to measure how fast electrical impulses travel through nerves. It involves electrode patches being attached to the skin which are gently stimulated so that the electrical activity can be recorded.