Services
Interventional Pain Management
01
Epidural Steroid Injection
An Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that helps reduce spine-related pain and inflammation. We use advanced imaging (CT Guidance) to precisely target the affected area, often for conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.
CT Guidance allows us to use a thinner needle and more precise targeting to guarantee placement and minimize pain from the procedure.
The procedure helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and get you back to the activities you enjoy—with just a short, outpatient visit.
02
Facet Injections
Facet joint injections are a minimally invasive way to relieve pain and inflammation in the small joints of your spine. Using CT guidance, we can precisely deliver medication directly to the affected facet joint, helping reduce discomfort from arthritis, injury, or chronic back and neck pain. Most patients experience improved mobility and pain relief after a short, outpatient procedure.
Why We Choose CT Guidance Over Standard Fluoroscopy
Many clinics perform pain injections using standard fluoroscopy (a 2D X-ray). While effective for simple cases, Axos Imaging uses CT guidance for superior safety and outcomes. Here is the difference:
Pinpoint Accuracy:
CT imaging provides a 360-degree, cross-sectional view of your spine and anatomy. We can see the needle tip in real-time, ensuring it is placed within millimeters of the target nerve or joint.
Enhanced Safety:
Because CT scans visualize soft tissues and blood vessels—not just bone—we can navigate around sensitive structures that are invisible on standard X-rays. This significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Better Outcomes for Complex Anatomy:
For patients with scoliosis, arthritis, or previous spinal surgery (including screws and rods), standard landmarks can be obscured. CT guidance allows us to navigate complex anatomy with ease, ensuring successful treatment even in difficult cases.
Lower Medication Doses:
Because we can place the medication precisely at the source of inflammation, we often achieve better pain relief without the need for excessive medication spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CT-guided injections and fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy provides a flat, 2-dimensional image of the spine (mostly bone). CT guidance provides a high-resolution, 3-dimensional view that shows bones, nerves, vessels, and soft tissue. This allows Axos Imaging providers to guide needles with greater precision and safety than is possible with fluoroscopy alone.
Are CT-guided injections safer?
Yes. Because CT guidance allows the doctor to see and avoid blood vessels and nerves that are invisible on standard X-rays, the risk of accidental injury or misplacement is significantly lower.
Do I need a referral for pain management at Axos Imaging?
We accept referrals from primary care physicians, spine surgeons, and chiropractors across San Diego and Escondido. If you are suffering from chronic back pain, sciatica, or joint pain, ask your doctor if a CT-guided injection at Axos Imaging is right for you.
"I had a really great experience at the Escondido location. The facility is brand new and really clean. The staff was very nice and friendly. The process was quick and the tech talks to you while you are in the imaging machine to keep you informed of the timing."
– CB