SHOWKAT DAR
PULWAMA, Jan 14: In a major boost to public healthcare services in Jammu and Kashmir, District Hospital (DH) Pulwama has successfully performed its first-ever advanced interventional pain management procedure, marking a significant milestone in the district’s medical capabilities.
The procedure was carried out on a 70-year-old patient who presented at the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) with a long-standing history of chronic low back pain, compounded by severe neurogenic claudication—a condition that causes pain and weakness in the legs due to nerve compression. Given the patient’s advanced age and the presence of multiple comorbidities, a thorough medical evaluation was conducted, which revealed that the patient was unfit to undergo conventional surgical intervention.
After a detailed clinical assessment and careful consideration of alternative treatment options, the medical team decided to proceed with a Parasagittal Interlaminar Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection (PILESI)—a minimally invasive and highly specialized pain management technique aimed at reducing inflammation and relieving nerve-related pain.
The landmark procedure was successfully performed by a skilled team of specialists, including Dr. M. Yousuf Tak and Dr. Abedullah Bhat, both Consultants, assisted by Dr. Shaiq Wani, DNB Scholar. Their expertise and meticulous planning ensured the safe and effective execution of the intervention, resulting in significant pain relief for the patient.
The procedure was further supported by a well-coordinated scrub team comprising Mr. Shaban, Ms. Mehnaaz, Mr. Basit, and Mr. Zahoor Ahmad (Radiographer), whose precision and teamwork played a crucial role in maintaining patient safety and procedural accuracy.
Crucial logistical and administrative backing was provided by Dr. A. G. Dar, Medical Superintendent of DH Pulwama, whose support facilitated the availability of necessary infrastructure and resources required for carrying out this advanced medical intervention.
Health officials and medical professionals have hailed the achievement as a transformative step toward strengthening secondary-level healthcare in the district. The introduction of interventional pain management services at DH Pulwama is expected to greatly benefit patients suffering from chronic pain conditions, particularly those who are not suitable candidates for surgery.
This pioneering effort underscores the hospital’s commitment to adopting modern, minimally invasive treatment modalities and reflects the growing capacity of district-level health institutions in Jammu and Kashmir to deliver specialized and advanced medical care closer to patients’ homes.
