PROCEDURES
To reduce pain by altering nerve signals before they reach the brain
What is the goal of spinal cord stimulation in chronic pain?
Corticosteroids or NSAIDs
What type of medication is commonly used to reduce inflammation in pain management?
The sciatic nerve is the leading culprit of this condition
What nerve is commonly involved in sciatica?
This grumpy genius from House, M.D. solved medical mysteries with sarcasm and Vicodin
Who is Dr. Gregory House?
Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation (C-RFA) for sacroiliac joint dysfunction, offering longer lesioning and improved outcomes.
What recently FDA-approved and CMS-reimbursed procedure uses radiofrequency energy to treat sacroiliac joint pain?
✅ FDA Approved (2022)
✅ CPT Code: 64625
✅ CMS Reimbursed
When pain is suspected to originate from spinal joints, especially with movement
When might a patient benefit from a facet joint injection?
The strongest warning it issues—alerts prescribers and patients to opioid dangers such as serious risks including addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death, especially with long-term use
What is FDA black box warning?
The lumbar spine suffers the most from this disease
What part of the spine is most commonly affected by degenerative disc disease?
This surgeon from Grey’s Anatomy is known for her ambition and skill in cardiothoracic surgery
Who is Dr. Cristina Yang?
Quell®—a external wearable neuromodulation device that stimulates sensory nerves to reduce chronic pain.
What is the FDA-approved wearable device that uses transcutaneous electrical stimulation to treat chronic pain without drugs?
✅ FDA Approved
✅ HCPCS Code: K1007
✅ CMS Reimbursed (case-by-case under DME)
To diagnose or treat pain by temporarily numbing a specific nerve.
What is the purpose of a nerve block?
Gabapentin or pregabalin
What is an example of a non-opioid medication used for nerve pain?
To cushion and support movement between vertebrae
What is the function of the intervertebral disc?
This MAS*H doctor used humor to cope with the horrors of war
Who is Hawkeye Pierce?
The HFX™ system by Nevro, which automatically adapts stimulation based on patient feedback and neural signals.
What is the FDA-approved closed-loop spinal cord stimulation system that adjusts in real time?
✅ FDA Approved
✅ CPT Code: 63650, 0735T
⚠️ CMS Reimbursement: 63650 reimbursed; 0735T may be investigational
It uses heat to disrupt pain signals from specific nerves.
How does radiofrequency ablation help with pain?
To relieve muscle spasms that may contribute to pain.
What is the role of muscle relaxants in pain care?
It connects the spine to the pelvis and can be a source of lower back pain
What is the sacroiliac joint, and why is it important?
This eccentric time-traveling doctor is known for his DeLorean and wild hair
Who is Dr. Emmett Brown? (Back to the Future)
A non-invasive device that re-trains the brain’s pain perception, achieving up to 90% relief
What is “Scrambler Therapy,” and what makes it unique?
✅ FDA Cleared
✅ CPT Code: 0278T
⚠️ CMS Reimbursement: Limited; often requires prior authorization
To reduce recovery time and avoid open surgery in appropriate patients
What is one reason to consider a minimally invasive spine procedure?
Clinicians should use caution when prescribing ≥ [BLANK]/day and avoid or carefully justify doses ≥[BLANK]/day due to increased risk of overdose and opioid use disorder. CMS Part D plans also implement safety edits at the [BLANK]/day threshold.
≥50 MME/day
≥90 MME/day
90 MME/day
A cluster of sensory nerve cell bodies involved in transmitting pain signals
What is the dorsal root ganglion?
This animated doctor is Springfield’s go-to (and often clueless) physician
Who is Dr. Nick Riviera? (The Simpsons)
The mild® Procedure (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression), used to relieve neurogenic claudication caused by lumbar spinal stenosis.
What FDA-approved, CMS-reimbursed procedure treats lumbar spinal stenosis by removing ligamentum flavum through a small portal under fluoroscopic guidance?
✅ FDA Cleared
✅ CPT Code: 0275T
✅ CMS Reimbursed (under NCD 150.13 for Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression)