The Lothier Polyclinic proposes:

The Pain Clinic

There are a lot of painful illnesses and they are always difficult to live with. With the opening of the Lothier Pain Clinic patients living in the centre or north of Brussels can now obtain an appointment at short notice to see a specialist able to propose a range of treatment.  

What is pain? 

Relieving pain is one of the primary principles of medicine. Pain is an unpleasant experience, both physically and emotionally. One of the primary principles of medicine is to provide relief. Understanding pain involves studying and acquiring knowledge of the neurophysiological mechanism of pain, a speciality in itself that is known as algology.  The algologist specialises in managing pain. He or she is best placed to inform patients about the neurophysiological mechanism of pain, the specific treatments available, specialised care and technical procedures such as infiltrations. 

Pain specialists 

Dr Mohamed Ali Bali and Dr Abdelillah Aoragh head the Pain Clinic at the Lothier Polyclinic. 

Their field covers all kinds of pain: 

  • Chronic pain (present for more than 3 months) 
  • Spinal pain (cervical, dorsal and lumbar and lower back) 
  • Oro-facial pain 
  • Cancer pain 
  • Neuropathic, diabetic pain 
  • Pelvic and/or perineum pain 
  • Fibromyalgia syndrome 
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (algodystrophy) 
  • Headaches, migraines 
  • Facial neuralgia
  • etc.

To guide our technical procedures, we have full command of precision location tools such as radioscopy and ultrasound. Our algologists have the necessary training and diplomas  to ensure this precision.   

Infiltrations: What you should know

An infiltration is a technical procedure that consists of injecting a medicinal product  close to a nerve that is causing pain. To ensure optimal effectiveness in the long term, a series of two or three successive infiltrations is carried out (depending on the indication and symptomatology).

It is an act that is frequently carried out and while not presenting any particular danger it does require a number of precautions: 

  • A blood test to be carried out in the days preceding the procedure to check blood clotting
  • The reporting of any medicine taken to prevent blood clots (Plavix® or Sintrom® for example)
  • Indicating if you are pregnant 
  • Indicating if you suffer from an allergy (to iodine or latex, etc.)

Infiltration procedure 

There is no need to fast on the day of the infiltration. 

You will either be seated or asked to lie down on your stomach. The source of the pain will be located by radioscopy or ultrasound, after which you may be given a local anaesthetic. We then effect the infiltration in the region to be treated. 

After the session you will be taken to the post-anaesthesia care unit for a period that depends on your progress. 

What are the possible side effects or complications? 

  • Painful localised reaction or a temporary increase in pain in the hours following the injection: This usually stops following analgesic treatment or by itself
  • Bruising (localised): rare and usually disappears within a few days
  • A vagal reaction (an emotional reaction resulting in excessive perspiration): This is a benign reaction that is eased by raising the legs and soon passes
  • Infection at the injection site: To avoid this we work under strictly sterile conditions, similar to those in an operating theatre.

The various forms of infiltration:

Epidural

This is carried out to relieve pain in the spine that travels to the legs (lumbar) or arms (cervical), in pathologies such as lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated disc. 

Foraminal

This consists of injecting a cortisone-based anti-inflammatory agent close to the irritated nerve that can be responsible for radicular pain, such as sciatica.  

This infiltration is carried out under the control of medical imaging (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) so as to target precisely the nerve that is causing the pain. The injection is at the spot where the nerve exits through a space (foramen) located between two vertebrae. 

Facet joints

Periarticular facet joint infiltrations (facet block) serve to reduce the inflammation and pain originating in the facet joint. It is often these joints that cause lower back pain (lumbago). 

Facet joints are two small joints on either side of the spinal cord in the posterior region. They can cause pain at all levels of the spinal cord. Only infiltration makes it possible to confirm the source of the pain and to treat it effectively. 

Sacroiliac

The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the sacrum and the wings of the pelvis.

This can cause buttock pain, on one or both sides, at the level of the sacroiliac joint radiating out towards the groin and thighs but not extending below the knee. 

When there is pain originating at this joint, an infiltration can be envisaged. 

Make an appointment : + 32 2 221 87 09

Or by email: polyclinique.lothier@hubruxelles.be, you will be contacted by telephone within 48 working hours by our services to fix the date and time of your appointment. 

To request an appointment at the Lothier Polyclinic Pain Clinic please fill out this form. 

Form – Pain Clinic

Mammogram

The Lothier Polyclinic is an approved centre for carrying out a Mammogram. A Mammogram is a radiological examination of the breasts that is available free of charge and carried out every two years to screen for breast cancer in women aged between 50 and 69 who do not present a particular risk.  

If you are in this age group and meet the conditions for screening you should receive a letter telling you when to have your Mammogram. The Lothier Polyclinic carries out the screening in a pleasant environment with easy access by public transport close to Brussels city centre.  

Make an appointment : + 32 2 221 87 10 

Gynaecology

Gynaecology monitors women throughout their life. At the Lothier Polyclinic the  gynaecology team offers you quality care in a pleasant environment close to Brussels city centre. The service treats gynaecological  issues such as infections, menstrual cycle problems, contraception, etc.

Monitor your pregnancy at the Lothier Clinic

The Lothier Polyclinic will also accompany you during your pregnancy. The obstetrician monitors both normal and risk pregnancies. Prenatal consultations usually take place once a month  to check blood pressure and weight gain and to carry out urine and blood tests.  

Three ultrasounds are also scheduled: 1st trimester (12-13 weeks), 2nd trimester  (morphological ultrasound, 21-23 weeks) and 3rd trimester (30-32 weeks).
Make an appointment: + 32 2 221 87 84

Paediatric dentistry

A team checks your children up to the age of 18:
• prevention,
• fillings,
• dental hygiene,
• MEOPA (conscious sedation),
• restorative procedures,
• preparation for orthodontic devices (braces),
• …

Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our team
• Telephone: + 32 2 2218760
• Email: polyclinique.lothier@hubruxelles.be
• Via the application MyHUB
• Via the Desk on the 3rd floor

Our team:• Monsieur AGOPYAN A.
• Madame BADAOUI Y.
• Madame DIALLO B.
• Madame EL JOUEIDI M.
• Madame DAOU M.

Your computerised medical file is kept jointly with the Erasmus Hospital.  This means the Polyclinic is in a position to carry out an increasing number of preoperative examinations as well as postoperative care and follow-up activities. Transfers from the Erasmus Hospital to the polyclinic are also encouraged to enable patients to return as soon as possible to their familiar living environment and to propose appointments as early as possible.

The polyclinic’s location in a district with a high density of offices  also makes it easier for company employees to attend for a check up. 

The polyclinic seeks to provide a health service aimed at the general public. The rates are in line with the INAMI public healthcare agreements and supplementary charges for private healthcare are the exception. 

Your computerised medical file is kept jointly with the Erasmus Hospital.  This means the Polyclinic is in a position to carry out an increasing number of preoperative examinations as well as postoperative care and follow-up activities. Transfers from the Erasmus Hospital to the polyclinic are also encouraged to enable patients to return as soon as possible to their familiar living environment and to propose appointments as early as possible.

The polyclinic’s location in a district with a high density of offices  also makes it easier for company employees to attend for a check up. 

The polyclinic seeks to provide a health service aimed at the general public. The rates are in line with the INAMI public healthcare agreements and supplementary charges for private healthcare are the exception. 

The medical services at the Lothier Polyclinic

  • Cardiology
  • Digestive surgery
  • Pain Clinic
  • Dentistry
  • Paediatric dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology – Hepatology – Oncology
  • Gynaecology, obstetrics and ultrasound
  • Fertility Clinic
  • Haematology
  • Physiotherapy – Occupational therapy
  • Mammography – Mammogram
  • General medicine
  • Internal medicine – immunology
  • Physical medicine
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • ENT
  • ENT – Audiology – Hearing aids
  • Orthodontics
  • Orthopaedics
  • Vascular pathology
  • Pneumology
  • Chiropody
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiology – Ultrasound – Osteodensitometry – Doppler