You are viewing the PATIENT website

Pain Management

Targeted, image-guided treatments to help manage pain and support recovery
A person indoors touching their shoulder while examining arm movement, representing shoulder discomfort or joint pain.

When pain stands in your path, progress feels out of reach

Every journey forward begins with one step — but pain can make that step feel impossible.

At Apex Radiology, we know how pain affects your daily life and how determined you’ve been to find relief.

Our specialists can diagnose the cause and provide targeted treatments to help you move ahead.

Take the next step toward relief.

What is pain management?

Pain management is a specialised area of medical care focused on reducing or managing acute and chronic pain affecting the spine, joints, and soft tissues.

Image-guided procedures (also known as interventional procedures or interventional radiology) enable precise diagnosis and treatment by allowing radiologists to target the exact source of pain.

These treatments are commonly used when symptoms persist despite physiotherapy or medication.

Conditions we treat

We provide pain management for a range of conditions, including:

  • Back and neck pain
  • Sciatica and nerve pain
  • Joint pain (shoulder, hip, knee)
  • Arthritis and inflammation
  • Sports injuries
  • Tendon and soft tissue pain
A person indoors touching their shoulder while examining arm movement, representing shoulder discomfort or joint pain.

Image-guided Pain Management Treatments

Our radiologists perform a range of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures including:

Cortisone Injections

Cortisone injections are performed as a treatment for pain, often by causing a break in the inflammation/pain cycle, associated with a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.

Nerve root injections, also known as selective nerve root blocks, are a minimally invasive treatment used to alleviate pain caused by inflamed or compressed spinal nerves. This procedure delivers medication directly to the nerve root to reduce inflammation and pain.

Facet joint injections are a minimally invasive treatment used to relieve pain and inflammation in the spine’s facet joints. These joints are located between the vertebrae and help stabilize the spine while allowing for flexibility and movement.

A minimally invasive procedure used to deliver medication directly into the epidural space of the spine under the guidance of a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Aspiration of fluid for pathology analysis from either joints or larger internal collections. Drainage of fluid for therapeutic purposes (for example large pleural effusions or ascites)

Benefits of image-guided pain management

Image-guided techniques allow precise delivery, improving outcomes and reducing risk compared to non-guided approaches.

Benefits:

  • Targeted treatment of the pain source
  • Minimally invasive procedures
  • Reduced reliance on long-term medication
  • May delay or avoid surgery
An older adult walking along a paved path in a park, using a walking cane for support.

What to expect

Before your appointment

You will need a referral from your doctor. Our team will help guide you through booking and preparation.

During the procedure

  • Performed using CT or ultrasound guidance
  • Usually completed under local anaesthetic
  • Typically quick and minimally invasive

After your procedure

Most patients can return to normal activities shortly after, with follow-up managed through your referring doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral for pain management?

Yes, a referral from your GP or specialist is required for most procedures.

Image-guided injections are commonly performed and designed to improve accuracy and safety.

Relief can vary depending on the condition and treatment. Some patients experience improvement within days to weeks.

Most procedures are minimally invasive, and many patients return to normal activities shortly after.

Pain management can help with spinal pain, joint pain, nerve pain and soft tissue conditions.

Personalised Care and Fast Results

At Apex Radiology, we understand the importance of timely results.

We strive to provide prompt and accurate reports, allowing you and your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about your health.

Our personalised approach ensures each patient receives the care and attention they deserve.

Share: