When pain originates deep within the spine, hip, or other complex joints, precise targeting is essential for effective treatment. Fluoroscopy is a real-time X-ray imaging technology that allows physicians to visualize bones, joints, and needle placement with exceptional clarity, ensuring that medication is delivered exactly where it is needed.
At Joint Health Solutions in Charlotte, we use fluoroscopy guidance for a variety of injections, particularly for spinal conditions such as epidural, facet, and nerve root blocks, and for deep joints such as the hip and sacroiliac joint. Our team—led by Dr. Jeffrey Galvin and Ariel Curtis, FNP-C—combines advanced imaging with clinical expertise to provide safe, accurate, and effective pain relief.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Jeffrey Galvin & Ariel Curtis, FNP-C | Last reviewed: March 2026
Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that uses continuous X-ray beams to create real-time, moving images of the body’s internal structures. Unlike a standard X-ray, which captures a single still image, fluoroscopy shows dynamic movement, allowing the physician to guide a needle precisely to the target while watching its progress on a monitor.
For interventional pain procedures, fluoroscopy is invaluable because it:
Ideal for spinal structures such as vertebrae, facet joints, neural foramina, and deep joints.
Ensures medication is delivered to the intended target.
Avoids accidental injection into blood vessels, nerves, or unintended spaces.
Increases the likelihood of therapeutic success.
At Joint Health Solutions, we use both fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance, selecting the best modality for each patient and condition.
| Feature | Fluoroscopy | Ultrasound |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging Type | Real-time X-ray | Sound waves |
| Best For | Spine, hip, sacroiliac joint, and deep bony structures. | Soft tissues, tendons, bursae, fluid, and superficial joints. |
| Advantages | Excellent bone visualization; confirms precise contrast spread. | No radiation exposure; visualizes soft tissue pathology in real-time. |
| Disadvantages | Small radiation exposure; limited soft-tissue detail. | Limited penetration for deep structures; highly operator dependent. |
For spinal injections such as epidural, facet, and nerve root blocks, and for deep joint injections such as the hip and sacroiliac joint, fluoroscopy is often the preferred modality. For shoulder, knee, elbow, and soft-tissue injections, ultrasound is typically used.
An epidural steroid injection delivers corticosteroid and local anesthetic into the epidural space around the spinal cord and nerve roots. It is used for radicular pain from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.
Facet joints are small joints between vertebrae that can become arthritic and painful. Injections can both confirm the source of pain and provide relief.
A selective nerve root block targets a specific spinal nerve root suspected of causing radicular pain. It provides both diagnostic and therapeutic value.
The SI joint connects the spine to the pelvis and can cause low back and buttock pain. Fluoroscopy ensures accurate placement into the joint space, which can be difficult to access without imaging.
Intra-articular hip injections are performed under fluoroscopy to confirm needle placement within the deep hip capsule. They can be diagnostic, confirming the hip as the pain source, and therapeutic, providing relief for osteoarthritis or labral tears.
We discuss all risks before the procedure and take every precaution to ensure safety.
| Procedure | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Epidural steroid injection | Weeks to months; may be repeated as needed. |
| Facet joint injection | Weeks to months; if positive, radiofrequency ablation may provide longer relief. |
| Sacroiliac joint injection | Weeks to months. |
| Hip joint injection | Weeks to months; can be repeated or combined with regenerative medicine. |
The duration depends on the underlying condition and patient factors. Fluoroscopy-guided injections are often used as part of a comprehensive plan that includes physical therapy, exercise, and lifestyle modification.
Dr. Jeffrey Galvin and Ariel Curtis, FNP-C, have extensive training in interventional pain management and regenerative medicine.
All injections are performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopy for accuracy and safety.
We offer a full spectrum of injection therapies, from traditional to regenerative.
Your treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition, goals, and lifestyle.
Your treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition, goals, and lifestyle.
Serving patients from Charlotte, Huntersville, Concord, Matthews, and surrounding areas.
Fluoroscopy uses real-time X-ray to visualize bone and joint spaces, making it ideal for spine, hip, and sacroiliac injections. Ultrasound uses sound waves to visualize soft tissues such as tendons and bursae and is preferred for shoulder, knee, and superficial structures. Both are image-guided techniques that improve accuracy and safety.
Yes. When performed by trained specialists using sterile technique and low-dose radiation protocols, fluoroscopy-guided injections are very safe. Risks are rare and typically minor, such as temporary pain or bruising.
Fluoroscopy uses a low dose of radiation, typically equivalent to only a few chest X-rays. We use the ALARA principle—as low as reasonably achievable—to minimize exposure while maintaining image quality.
It depends on the type of blood thinner and the procedure’s risk profile. Some patients may need to temporarily hold medication with approval from their prescribing physician, while others may proceed with precautions. We review each case individually.
The procedure itself typically takes 10–20 minutes. Including preparation and post-procedure monitoring, plan to be in the office for about 45–60 minutes.
Most patients feel a brief sting from the local anesthetic and then pressure as the needle is advanced. The injection of medication may cause temporary discomfort or a sensation of fullness. Overall, the procedure is well tolerated.
Corticosteroids often begin working within 24–72 hours, though full effect may take up to a week. Diagnostic blocks may provide immediate relief within minutes if the anesthetic reaches the correct target.
It depends on the condition. Some patients need only one injection, while others may benefit from a series, such as an epidural series for radiculopathy. If a diagnostic block is positive, longer-lasting options such as radiofrequency ablation may be recommended.
Yes, most fluoroscopy-guided injections for spinal conditions such as epidural, facet, and nerve root blocks, as well as hip injections, are covered by insurance when medically indicated. We verify benefits before the procedure.
You may be a candidate if you have spine-related pain such as neck pain, back pain, or sciatica that has not improved with conservative care; hip pain suspected from osteoarthritis or labral pathology; need diagnostic confirmation to guide further treatment; or are preparing for physical therapy and need pain relief to participate effectively.
If you are suffering from spine, hip, or deep joint pain and want precise, image-guided relief, schedule a consultation at Joint Health Solutions in Charlotte. We will help determine if fluoroscopy-guided injections are right for you.
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