Dedicated Pain Procedures
Interventional Pain Management in Portland, OR
At Center for Specialty Surgery, we work with your physician to support your pain management treatment plan. Our Portland facility has two dedicated procedure rooms for treatments such as epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation. Our team will answer your questions, help you prepare for your visit and explain what to expect during your procedure and immediate recovery.
Our team performs about 400 of these procedures a month and works with the physicians of Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab). That kind of repetition matters: a team that performs a high volume of a specific procedure tends to do it more efficiently and more consistently than one that only does it occasionally.
If your doctor has already scheduled your procedure with us, there's nothing further you need to do to confirm it. Questions before your visit? Call us at (503) 906-4300.
Everything to Know Before Your Procedure
What Interventional Pain Management Looks Like Here
Interventional pain management covers a range of non-surgical, image-guided procedures used to diagnose and treat ongoing pain, most often in the neck, back, hips, or joints. At the Center for Specialty Surgery, that includes epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses heat to calm an overactive pain nerve, and the Tenex procedure, a minimally invasive treatment for chronic tendon pain that removes damaged tissue through a needle instead of an open incision.
These procedures are usually considered after physical therapy, medication, or activity changes haven't fully resolved your pain, and often before, or sometimes alongside, a conversation about surgery. Your referring provider is the one who determines which specific procedure fits your diagnosis. If you're not yet sure where you are in that process, your care team at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab) can help you figure out the right next step.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Unlike most surgery performed at our facility, many interventional pain procedures don't require general anesthesia. You'll typically receive local numbing at the injection site, sometimes alongside light IV sedation, depending on which procedure you're having and your provider's recommendation. Your provider uses imaging guidance, usually fluoroscopy or ultrasound, to place the injection or device precisely, which is part of why these procedures are generally quick, often finished in well under an hour.
Afterward, you'll rest briefly in a recovery area before you're cleared to leave. If you received any sedation, you'll need a family member or friend to drive you home; if your procedure only involved local numbing, you may be able to drive yourself. Our team will confirm which applies to you beforehand.
Recovering From Your Procedure
Soreness at the injection site is common after these procedures. How soon you feel relief depends on the procedure and the person. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions, which often include taking it easy for the rest of the day and gradually returning to normal activity as tolerated.
Call your provider's office if you experience worsening pain, fever, or any signs of infection at the injection site. For a broader look at what recovery looks like after procedures performed at our facility, visit How We Get You Home.
Our Safety and Quality Standards
We perform about 400 interventional pain procedures a month, through two procedure rooms built specifically for this kind of care, not shared operating room time. Center for Specialty Surgery has been performing orthopedic and pain management procedures since 2003, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and certified by Medicare. Our infection and complication rates are tracked every quarter and reported publicly, and we've been recognized among Newsweek's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers(opens in a new tab) in Oregon in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Your Care Team
Our Interventional Pain Physicians
Frequently Asked Questions
What is radiofrequency ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation, often called RFA, uses heat generated by a radio wave to temporarily disable the nerve sending pain signals from a joint or area of the spine. It's typically considered after a diagnostic injection confirms that a specific nerve is the source of your pain, and how long relief lasts is different for each person.
How much does an epidural steroid injection cost?
Most epidural steroid injections performed at the Center for Specialty Surgery are billed through your medical insurance, the same way they would be at a hospital. We accept most major insurance plans; visit our Insurance page for the full list, or call our billing team directly with coverage questions.
What are the risks of interventional pain procedures?
Interventional pain procedures are generally lower risk than surgery, but like any medical procedure, they carry some risk, including temporary increased pain, bleeding, infection at the injection site, and, rarely, nerve irritation. Your provider will review the risks specific to your procedure before you consent to it.
How is interventional pain management different from surgery?
Interventional pain management uses targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat pain without removing or replacing any part of the joint or spine. It's often tried before surgery is considered, though for some conditions, the two approaches are used together as part of a broader treatment plan.
How do I get scheduled for interventional pain management near me?
Interventional pain management at the Center for Specialty Surgery is always scheduled through your referring provider, not directly by patients. If your provider has recommended one of these procedures here, your care team at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists(opens in a new tab) will take care of scheduling for you. Questions in the meantime? Call us at (503) 906-4300. We look forward to taking great care of you!
Questions About Your Procedure?