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Treatments and procedures
Image-guided procedures and treatments offered by Dr Chris Martin in Perth. Each is used selectively, alongside a rehabilitation plan rather than in isolation.
Comprehensive pain assessment
A comprehensive pain assessment is a specialist consultation that works out what is generating your pain, what has been tried, and what should happen next. It involv…
Medial branch blocks
A medial branch block is an injection that numbs the small nerves supplying a facet joint in the spine. It helps confirm whether that joint is a source of your pain,…
Radiofrequency neurotomy
Radiofrequency neurotomy interrupts the small nerves that carry pain signals from a painful joint or structure, providing relief that typically lasts several months …
Facet joint injections
A facet joint injection places anti-inflammatory medication directly inside a small spinal joint. It is used for pain thought to arise from that joint, particularly …
Sacroiliac joint injections and lateral branch procedures
The sacroiliac joint links the base of the spine to the pelvis and is a recognised source of low back and buttock pain. Injection into the joint can be both diagnost…
Epidural injections
An epidural injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication into the space surrounding the spinal nerves. It is used mainly for leg or arm pain caused by an irritate…
Transforaminal and nerve root sleeve injections
A transforaminal injection targets a single spinal nerve root where it exits the spine. It is more selective than a standard epidural, which makes it useful both for…
Spasticity injections
Spasticity injections reduce tone in specific overactive muscles in the arm, hand, leg or foot after stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis and…
Peripheral and diagnostic nerve blocks
A peripheral nerve block places local anaesthetic around a specific nerve to interrupt pain signals from the area it supplies. It is used to identify which nerve is …
Stump and neuroma injections
Pain after amputation can arise from the residual limb, from a neuroma where a cut nerve has formed a sensitive bundle, or as phantom sensation in the missing limb. …
Shoulder pain procedures
Persistent shoulder pain can be treated by targeting the nerves that supply the joint, or by injecting the joint or bursa directly. Which is appropriate depends on w…
Hip pain procedures
Persistent hip pain can be treated by blocking the nerves supplying the joint, or by injecting the joint itself. This is particularly useful for people waiting for h…
Genicular nerve blocks and radiofrequency
The genicular nerves carry pain signals from the knee joint. Blocking them tests whether they are responsible for your knee pain, and radiofrequency treatment of the…
Ankle and foot nerve procedures
Persistent ankle and foot pain can be assessed with targeted nerve blocks to identify which nerve is carrying the pain. Radiofrequency treatment may provide a longer…
Pelvic pain procedures
Persistent pelvic pain can arise from nerves, muscles, joints or organs, and often from more than one at once. Targeted nerve blocks help identify which structures a…
Cancer pain procedures
Where cancer pain is not adequately controlled by medication, or where medication side effects are limiting, targeted procedures can reduce pain directly. These incl…
Occipital nerve blocks and radiofrequency
Occipital nerve blocks target the nerves running from the upper neck over the back of the head. They are used for occipital neuralgia and some cervicogenic headaches…
Infusion therapy
Infusion therapy is a supervised inpatient treatment in which medication is delivered slowly into the bloodstream over several days. It is considered for selected pe…
Medication review and optimisation
A medication review examines what you are currently taking for pain, what each medication is actually achieving, and what it is costing you in side effects. The aim …
Rehabilitation planning
Rehabilitation planning sets out how to rebuild movement, capacity and daily function alongside treatment aimed at the pain itself. It is built into the plan here ra…
Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation involves implanted devices that alter pain signalling, including spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal therapy. Dr Martin offers these highly selec…
How to arrange an appointment
A referral from a GP or specialist is required. Referrals are accepted by Healthlink (EDI: painmdwa), fax 08 6114 0717 or email admin@painmedicinewa.com.
Enquiries: 0448 299 260 — Monday 9:00am – 4:00pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm.