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Pain Clinic
Pain Clinic
Our mission
The Pain Clinic is a specialised second- and third-line centre dedicated to the management of chronic or complex pain. With more than 5,000 procedures performed each year, our multidisciplinary team offers personalised treatments to help patients regain a better quality of life. Our mission is to provide our patients with relief through state-of-the-art techniques and innovative equipment.
Access to the centre is exclusively by appointment and upon referral from a referring physician. We welcome you from Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.
The conditions treated
The Pain Clinic manages a wide range of conditions. Chronic pain can affect anyone and is often caused by various factors. Spinal pain (lower back, thoracic and cervical), postoperative pain and joint pain (knees, shoulders) are among the most common.
It is estimated that 80% of the world’s population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Several factors can promote its onset or worsening, such as a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, stress, population ageing and even a humid climate. Appropriate care can help control this pain more effectively and improve patients’ quality of life.
Our range of care
Injections: a therapeutic procedure in which a medicine is injected directly into a targeted area of the body. Each treatment is tailored to the patient and performed under optimal conditions of safety and comfort.
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Lumbar foraminal injection
This is a selective epidural injection. This unilateral injection is administered at the level of the foramen ovale, where the nerve emerges, to treat radicular pain. It targets pain radiating into the limb and paraesthesia. The procedure is guided by fluoroscopy with contrast and neurostimulation, followed by monitoring in the recovery room in the presence of an accompanying person.
Cervical foraminal injection
This is a lateralised epidural injection. This unilateral injection is administered at the level of the foramen ovale, where the nerve emerges, to treat radicular pain radiating to the hand. It is indicated in cases of pain in the upper limb and paraesthesia. The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance for optimal precision, followed by monitoring in the recovery room in the presence of an accompanying person.
Facet blocks
Facet joint injections to treat band-like pain caused by osteoarthritis. The injections may cover up to three bilateral levels, i.e. a maximum of six injections per session. Unlike foraminal injections, discontinuation of anticoagulants is not required, and there is no mandatory stay in the recovery room or need for an accompanying person.
Sacroiliac joint injection
Infiltration targeting joint pain in the sacroiliac joint, this technique effectively relieves patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain.
Radiofrequency thermocoagulation
This technique consists of lysing sensory nerves using an electrical current at 68°C for 90 seconds, thereby prolonging the effect of the infiltrations. It is used for facet joint blocks and sacroiliac pain, with treatment performed on only one side per session (if the pain is bilateral, the treatment must be carried out in two sessions). Please note that the maximum interval of three months after the facet joint blocks must not be exceeded.
Pulsed radiofrequency or DRG
This technique targets the foraminal area, applying 42°C for 120 seconds to modulate nerve conduction and reduce pain.
Occipital nerve block
This infiltration is indicated for inflammatory helmet-like headaches, whether bilateral or unilateral. Radiofrequency treatment of the sensory nerves may be combined with this infiltration to prolong its effectiveness.
Infiltration at the site of pain
This infiltration targets chronic painful surgical wounds. It is performed under ultrasound guidance for optimal precision.
How a session works
Care at the Pain Clinic is provided on an outpatient basis, ensuring that you can return home the same day. For certain procedures, you must be accompanied home by someone close to you; please ask the care team for information.
- Admission and preparation: after arrival, the patient is taken care of without needing to fast. An identity check is systematically performed to ensure the safety of the care pathway.
- Medical history: the medical team assesses the symptoms, their progression and the consistency between the request and the clinical findings.
- Positioning and procedure: the patient is positioned under optimal conditions, using sterile equipment to ensure a safe procedure.
- Recommendations and follow-up : after the procedure, personalised instructions are provided to optimise recovery and limit side effects. Post-infiltration monitoring may be indicated depending on the type of procedure performed.
For follow-up of pain after the infiltrations, you will be referred back to the referring physician (the general practitioner or specialist who prescribed the infiltrations).
Our specialists
- Prof. Turgay Tuna (Head of the Anaesthesiology Department)
- Dr Nicolas Bernard
- Dr Dragos-Ioan Chirnoaga
- Dr Francisco Cravo
- Dr Djamal Ghoundiwal
- Dr Nathalie Natis
- Dr Marie-Laure Nisolle
- Dr Faouzi Seddik
- Dr Nathalie Van Cutsem
- Dr Senada Ymeraj
Associated services
Associated services
Access and appointment scheduling
The Pain Clinic is located at the Imedia outpatient centre: 501 Lennik Road – 1080 Anderlecht.
- To make an appointment, please send your request, together with your referring doctor's prescription, to the following address: PainClinic [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (PainClinic[at]hubruxelles[dot]be) (please include your surname, first name, date of birth and telephone number).
- For further information, you can also call +32 2 555 32 32.