Diagnostic tests for pain

The importance of pain diagnosis

A careful and accurate diagnosis is essential when deciding on the most effective treatment for each type of pain. Our team at the Teknon Pain Clinic specialises in diagnosing the source of pain using the most appropriate techniques for each case.

Our diagnostic nerve block system is particularly important for several reasons:

• Diagnostic blocks provide information on the expected effectiveness of pharmacological treatments (opioid test and lidocaine test)
• They guide in locating and defining the source of pain
• They help to distinguish whether the pain is somatic, visceral, from the sympathetic nervous system or from the central nervous system
• They are useful for identifying the source of pain that radiates to a distant location
• They are used to predict the outcome of more invasive and long-lasting techniques (radiofrequency, spinal cord or peripheral stimulation, etc.)

Opioid test

A large number of patients can be managed with non-opioid analgesics in combination with other medications or procedures. When opioids are required or when switching from opioids to other similar drugs, they should first be used on a trial basis to optimise the dose and avoid side effects as much as possible.

Selective diagnostic blocks of peripheral nerves, central nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

Bloqueos diagnósticos

Diagnostic blocks are performed to determine which specific nerve is responsible for the pain. Blockades and diagnostic infiltrations are performed when the medical history, physical examination, and complementary tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, EMG, etc.) are unable to determine the origin and consequences of the pain. It is the most useful diagnostic and therapeutic modality currently available.

Diagnostic nerve blocks yield accurate information about the source of the pain. They are performed percutaneously or as regional IV blocks (Bretylium or local anaesthetics).

Epidurography - Discography

Epidurograma

Test used to diagnose whether back pain is caused by a damaged spinal disc. It is the only test that can accurately tell us whether the pain originates in the intervertebral disc. The test is performed under fluoroscopy by injecting a contrast medium into the damaged intervertebral disc.

Differential diagnosis blockages

These are blocks using different anaesthetics and at different times, which enable us to identify the origins of the pain.