PAIN MANAGEMENT

Staten Island's Source for Lasting Pain Relief

Tailored Pain Management Services at iOrtho

If you’re dealing with chronic joint pain, injuries, or diseases, iOrtho creates personalized treatment plans just for you.

Our experienced and dedicated board-certified musculoskeletal team will build an innovative treatment plan based on an accurate diagnosis utilizing advanced imaging and other methods.

iOrtho is a state-of-the-art musculoskeletal health care facility located on Staten Island featuring comprehensive on-site diagnostics and therapeutics including MRI, X-Ray, ultrasonography, 3-D Fluoroscopy, nerve studies, blood testing, drug testing, prescription pain medications, medical marijuana, in-office procedures such as spinal epidural injections, joint injections, carpal tunnel decompression, and more. Our practice also has a comprehensive physical therapy department featuring Life Fitness exercise equipment and a rehabilitation pool.

iOrtho is staffed with surgeons utilizing the most advanced technology and techniques available such as minimally invasive computer navigated spine surgery and robotic joint replacement performed at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital.

Our goal is to provide you with not just relief from the pain but a personalized approach to managing and improving your joint health, from pharmacologic therapy to managing chronic pain through reconstructive surgery using the most innovative technology. We are dedicated to helping you regain mobility and live a fuller, more comfortable life.

Choosing iOrtho means choosing a team that cares about your journey to wellness. Experience the difference where innovative care has a focus on you.

Physical Therapy ∙ Nerve Stimulators ∙ Nerve Ablation ∙ Spinal Injections

Elevating Musculoskeletal Care

Orthopedic health is critical to maintaining an active and fulfilling life, choosing the right healthcare provider is crucial for optimal outcomes. In a landscape where excellence is the standard, iOrtho stands out as a leading multi-specialty musculoskeletal healthcare practice. With a commitment to cutting-edge technology, patient-centered care, and a partnership with NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, iOrtho is your premier destination for innovative orthopedic services.

Medical Marijuana

If you have chronic joint pain and want to avoid pharmaceutical options to treat the disorder, you might be considering medical marijuana for chronic pain in the New York area. At iOrtho, we can answer any questions you might have about this pain treatment solution. The team at iOrtho believes in taking a multidisciplinary approach to pain treatment. Book an appointment today to discuss the pros and cons of medical marijuana treatment with you to determine the best course of action for your health plan.

Who Qualifies to Receive Medicinal Marijuana?

Patients who suffer from any of the following medical conditions or symptoms may qualify for medical weed treatment in New York:

Chronic pain
Cancer
HIV
AIDS
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Epilepsy
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD)
Huntington’s disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Any life-threatening or debilitating condition above must also be accompanied by one or more of the following:
Cachexia
Seizures
Persistent or severe muscle spasms
Severe nausea
Chronic or severe pain
Other side effects as added by the Commissioner

Benefits of Medical Marijuana Treatment

Arthritis affects millions of people in the U.S. and across the world, making treatment options crucial to help relieve various symptoms associated with the disease. A few proven benefits of alternative medicine include that it can:

Relieve pain during both movement and rest
Lower inflammation
Increase appetite
Reduce anxiety and depression
Improve sleep and decrease insomnia
Ease and prevent nausea and vomiting

Because marijuana contains several substances that affect the body’s immune system and central nervous system, it has a tendency to relieve these and other symptoms quickly, giving patients a higher overall quality of life.

Various Forms of Marijuana for Joint Pain Treatment

Every patient is different, which means the right marijuana strain and method of administration for some patients may not work as well for others. Legal ingestion options in New York include:

Oral pills
Oral spray
Oil or liquid for an inhaler
Oil or liquid for vaporization
Currently, taking edibles and smoking marijuana flowers are not approved administration methods in the state of New York.

Medical Marijuana Certification From a Physician

When it’s time for your evaluation with a physician to determine whether medical marijuana treatment for joint pain is the right solution for you, you’ll discuss your symptoms so they can decide whether it’s appropriate for your circumstances. If they believe it is, your medical marijuana certification must state the following:

Method of ingestion
Which brand, strain, or form of cannabis he approves
Dosage recommendations (optional)
Limitations of use

This certification must come from someone who is registered with the New York Medical Marijuana Program. You’ll get your paper certificate at your appointment if the doctor believes medical marijuana will help relieve your symptoms. Then, you’ll register with the New York State Department of Health website and pay the registration fee. You’ll get your registration card through the mail, which you can then take to a certified dispensary to get your prescription filled.

Pharmacologic

There are different medications that can help provide pain relief in different ways. These medications can help reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and reduce muscle tightness. Categories include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), muscle relaxers, and nerve medications. There are some instances where opioid medications may have a role in reducing pain especially early on after surgery. Sometimes a combination of these categories of medication is needed for effective pain control.

Spinal Injections

These are injections that help reduce the inflammation and thus reduce pain in areas of the neck/ low back. These injections are designed to block pain transmission and reduce inflammation and can include

Trigger Point Injections
Epidurals
Nerve Blocks
Sacroiliac Joint injections
Piriformis Injections

Nerve Ablation

A class of procedures that are used to disable the sensory part of the nerve which may provide pain relief for up to 1 year. This procedure can be helpful for the management of pain associated with spinal arthritis, chronic lower back pain, hip and knee arthritis pain and pain after hip and knee surgery.

Nerve Stimulator

If traditional treatments including injections and nerve ablations do not provide pain relief and/or pain continues after surgery a spinal cord stimulator may be a good option. The spinal cord stimulator is a small flexible wire that is inserted into the spine. The stimulator has a wireless connection to a remote controller where different frequencies change the signal of pain that is propagated along the nerve all the way up to the spinal cord. Following this procedure, the patient is able to control and adjust where the stimulation occurs with a remote, thus controlling their pain.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy may be effective in reducing pain and inflammation while at the same time strengthening muscles and improving mobility and function. It can be an effective modality for recovery after injury and/or surgery. There are different treatment techniques that your physical therapist can use to improve function and reduce pain. Your doctor and therapist will evaluate your condition and recommend a customized treatment plan to manage your pain.