1. Epidural injections:
This comprises of injections of sizable quantities of steroid into the epidural space that is just outside the outer most covering layer of the spinal cord. The technique usually involves an insertion of a single large bore needle in the midline of the spine. Dr Vengulekar prefers to perform the more precise lesion specific root sleeve injection which uses a miniscule amount of steroid with the added advantage that it is accurately placed under imaging guidance thus minimizing side effects, risks and complications which may be associated with an epidural. Root sleeve injections also have other beneficial advantages.

2. Transformational selective root sleeve injections:
This comprises of a small injection of local anesthetic and a tiny amount of a local steroid very close to the nerve station, close to the spinal cord, and close to the disc.

3. Injection of facet joint or its nerve:
Small quantities of a local anesthetic and a local anti-inflammatory agent are injected into the tiny joints which are formed in the tiny joints which are formed in the spinal area for relief of back pain.

4. Discography procedure:
This is a very useful diagnostic procedure by means of which a particular disc can be identified in the causation of neck pain, and low back pain. Pressure studies can also be performed at this time, and patient response, determination can be made as to what therapy is appropriate.

5. Intradisc electrothermal annuloplasty:
This new procedure is useful for young patients with early disc troubles causing back pain in heated by tiny coiled wire inserted into the disc under the guidance of an x-ray camera and heated to a certain temperature to harden and firm up the disc so as to seal up any tears in the disc, and ultimately resulting in relief of spinal pain.

6. Coblative Nucleoplasty:
Another new procedure where center of disc is decompresses by using a wand inserted into the disc using coblative energy.

Please see link for details www.arthrocare.com and click on spine