Technology for Precise Pain Assessment

The RCE catheter is a small catheter with an electrode at its tip, designed to access the epidural space and the affected spinal nerve roots. At FV, the catheter is used under real-time X-ray guidance, allowing doctors to guide it precisely to the area being treated.

The RCE catheter can support several steps within the same procedure: releasing scar tissue and adhesions around the nerve roots, delivering medication to the treatment site, and performing pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation.

Fluoroscopy produces real-time moving X-ray images, allowing doctors to see the position of a needle or catheter during a procedure. At FV, this technology is used to guide injections, catheter placement and pain management procedures that require precise positioning.

For some procedures, contrast dye may be used to make the pathway and treatment area more visible. This allows doctors to confirm the position of the instruments during the procedure, rather than relying solely on anatomical landmarks or theoretical positioning.

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The newly installed 3.0 Tesla MRI system at FV Hospital provides high-resolution images, allowing doctors to see the brain, spine, soft tissues and other structures associated with pain in greater detail.

The system also helps shorten MRI scan times, reducing the time patients need to remain still inside the scanner. This can be particularly helpful for people who find it difficult to maintain one position for an extended period.