Interventional Pain Medicine in New Orleans
Interventional pain medicine at Orthopaedic Associates of New Orleans focuses on restoring function and reducing pain through minimally invasive, evidence-based procedures.
Care is led by Dr. Matthew Cutrer, a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with subspecialty certification in Pain Medicine and advanced fellowship training in interventional pain management. His team personalizes care and coordinates across specialties so treatment targets the source of pain and supports a safe return to activity.
Who Benefits from Interventional Pain Care
Patients with acute or chronic pain from musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions often find meaningful relief through interventional approaches.
Common indications include:
- Low back and neck pain, including radiculopathy (nerve-root pain) and sciatica
- Shoulder, hip, knee, and joint pain not responsive to conservative care
- Post-surgical pain and failed back surgery syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome and neuropathic pain
- Peripheral neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathy
- Sports-related injuries and overuse conditions
- Peripheral nerve pain and entrapment syndromes
- Pain related to spinal cord injury, including spasticity and chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Cancer-related pain requiring interventional support
Treatments and Procedures
Interventional pain specialists use targeted, image-guided techniques to diagnose and treat pain with minimal downtime.
Typical options include:
- Diagnostic and therapeutic joint and soft-tissue injections
- Epidural steroid injections and selective nerve-root injections
- Minimally invasive spine interventions for radiculopathy and select degenerative conditions
- Radiofrequency ablation for facet and sacroiliac joint pain
- Kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures
- Peripheral and spinal neuromodulation, including spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation
- Targeted nerve blocks for diagnostic clarity and symptom relief
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for chronic headache/migraine and dystonia
- Regenerative adjuncts when appropriate, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Procedures are performed with fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to maximize accuracy and safety. Treatment plans emphasize function-focused outcomes—reducing pain so patients can participate in rehabilitation, return to activity, and improve overall quality of life.
Advanced & Specialized Services
- Kyphoplasty to stabilize painful vertebral compression fractures
- Peripheral nerve stimulation for neuropathic pain, including diabetic neuropathy
- Botox injections for chronic headache and selected movement disorders
- Cancer- & Tumor-Related Pain Management, including OsteoCool bone tumor ablation for select painful lesions
- Interventional support for spinal cord injury, including targeted injections and spasticity-related procedures
A Multidisciplinary Approach
Interventional procedures are integrated into a broader care plan that may include:
- Physical therapy (in partnership with our therapy team)
- Bracing and assistive devices
- Medication management
- Coordination with OANO’s orthopedic surgeons when structural issues contribute to pain
- Rehabilitation collaboration for patients with spinal cord injury
This approach ensures each patient receives a tailored plan addressing both symptoms and underlying biomechanical contributors.
Why Choose OANO for Pain Care
- Comprehensive access to orthopedic subspecialists and on-site imaging
- Minimally invasive, evidence-based techniques designed to shorten recovery time
- Personalized care plans focused on restoring activity and improving quality of life
- Convenient online appointment requests and same-day options via the OANO Walk-In Clinic in Metairie
- Experienced clinicians who collaborate closely with referring providers
What to Expect at Your Visit
- A focused intake and comprehensive exam to pinpoint the source of pain
- Imaging review and, when needed, diagnostic injections to guide next steps
- A clear, written care plan outlining procedures, expected benefits, and rehabilitation guidance
- Secure messaging and patient portal access for questions, results, and online bill pay
Frequently Asked Questions
What is interventional pain management?
Interventional pain management focuses on identifying the source of your pain and treating it with targeted, minimally invasive procedures. Instead of simply masking symptoms, we use techniques like injections or neuromodulation to reduce pain and improve mobility—often with very little downtime.
Who benefits from interventional pain care?
A wide range of patients do. If you’re dealing with back or neck pain, nerve pain like sciatica, joint issues that aren’t improving, lingering pain after surgery, or even sports-related injuries, we can often help. My goal is always to help you move better and return to the activities that matter most.
What procedures do you offer?
I offer a full spectrum of image-guided treatments—epidural injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, and more. Every option is selected with purpose, and I walk you through why a specific approach fits your diagnosis and goals.
What should I expect at my first visit?
We’ll take a detailed look at your symptoms, imaging, and daily function. If needed, I may use a diagnostic injection to clarify the source of pain. You’ll leave with a clear plan and a practical understanding of what comes next.
Will my insurance cover these treatments?
Most of the time, yes — but it varies by plan and procedure. My team helps you navigate those details up front so you know exactly what to expect before scheduling treatment.
Can interventional techniques help diabetic neuropathy?
For many patients, yes. When diabetic neuropathy causes burning, tingling, or shooting pain, options like peripheral nerve blocks or peripheral nerve stimulation can make a real difference. I’ll review your history, imaging, and previous treatments so we can choose an approach that best fits your symptoms.
Is kyphoplasty right for a vertebral compression fracture?
In the right situation, absolutely. If a compression fracture is causing severe pain or limiting your mobility, kyphoplasty can stabilize the bone and reduce pain quickly. I’ll look at your imaging and walk you through whether you’re a good candidate.
What is OsteoCool, and when is it used?
OsteoCool is a minimally invasive way to treat certain painful bone tumors using targeted heat. It’s not right for every case, but when it’s appropriate — generally in coordination with your oncology team — it can provide meaningful pain relief.
Can Botox really help with migraines or dystonia?
Yes — Botox is a great tool for chronic migraine and some movement disorders. It helps relax overactive muscles and calm pain pathways. If your headaches or dystonia haven’t responded to other treatments, this may be a good next step.
Do you treat patients with spinal cord injury?
I do. For patients living with spinal cord injury, pain and spasticity can significantly impact quality of life. We focus on targeted injections, spasticity management, and coordinated rehabilitation to support mobility, comfort, and function.