Every year, millions of people suffer from neck, back, and spine pain or discomfort. There are many different causes for this and the pain or discomfort levels are different for every individual. When doctor visits are necessary, the doctor may ask questions and perform a physical examination. The physical examination is that of checking for mobility, checking for inflammation, as well as checking for tender points in the affected areas of pain and discomfort. Depending on the doctors’ findings and the individual’s circumstances, a form of spinal injection may be felt necessary by the doctor and suggested to the patient.
Spinal injections consist of many different types. An Individual’s specific symptoms and the physical examination performed by the doctor are the determining factors in which injection should be utilized. Spinal injections are used to assist in identifying the source of a patient’s pain, to assist in improving function of the affected area, to assist in confirming a diagnosis, and/or to reduce the inflammation which is causing the pain and discomfort for the patient. Fluoroscopy is commonly used during these procedures, which is live x-ray imaging of the injection site. The imaging ensures proper placement of the injection. Without the imaging, the risk of the injection being placed into the wrong area is great.
The most common procedure of Spinal Injections is the Epidural Steroid Injection, which is also referred to as a nerve block. The purpose of the Epidural injection is to provide temporary relief from radicular pain and can be used to reduce the inflammation that lies within facet joints as well. Radicular pain is the pain that radiates down an arm or down a leg which is caused from compressed or irritated spinal nerve roots. Sciatica, herniated disks, and spinal stenosis are the most common in reference to this pain. A doctor will attempt relief with non-surgical treatments for a period of time before an Epidural Steroid Injection is suggested. This injection, as with others, is not a cure for the radicular pain, but is devised to create a temporary relief consisting of a couple of weeks or possibly months for the patient. Unfortunately, there are times that these injections may not be effective. The effectiveness of this injection depends on an individual’s condition and circumstance, and as with any procedure, there are some risks that may be involved. The risks should be discussed with the patient’s healthcare provider.
The combination of a long term steroid and a local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space.
This is the space which is between the outer membrane covering the spinal cord and the wall of the spinal canal. The combined medications coat the facet joints and the spinal nerves which are near the injection area. This injection is devised to reduce inflammation of the spinal nerve roots and the tissue around the nerve roots which decreases the amount of radicular pain the patient is affected with. The irritation from the needle and the medication alone may cause a slight increase in discomfort for the first couple of days, but the discomfort will be temporary. Intended reduction of inflammation occurs gradually after the injection, which results in a few days to a week for a patient to experience a noticeable amount of relief from their discomfort. Although some patients experience a satisfied amount of relief from only one Epidural Steroid Injection, others may need up to three Injections to experience such relief.
This is the space which is between the outer membrane covering the spinal cord and the wall of the spinal canal. The combined medications coat the facet joints and the spinal nerves which are near the injection area. This injection is devised to reduce inflammation of the spinal nerve roots and the tissue around the nerve roots which decreases the amount of radicular pain the patient is affected with. The irritation from the needle and the medication alone may cause a slight increase in discomfort for the first couple of days, but the discomfort will be temporary. Intended reduction of inflammation occurs gradually after the injection, which results in a few days to a week for a patient to experience a noticeable amount of relief from their discomfort. Although some patients experience a satisfied amount of relief from only one Epidural Steroid Injection, others may need up to three Injections to experience such relief.
Due to the amount of medication that absorbs into the patient’s blood stream, most physicians recommend only three Epidural Steroid Injections within a year. This helps to reduce the risk of side effects from the steroids which are implemented within the injection. The types of doctors who perform the Epidural Steroid Injection procedures include radiologists, anesthesiologists, physiatrists, and neurologists.
After an Epidural Steroid injection has been administered, the patient often receives a prescription for rehabilitative back exercises which helps to reduce the risk of reoccurring pain and also assists in strengthening the muscles that support the spine.
As with any medical procedure, a patient should discuss risk factors with the doctor. For risk factors, see also: Risks / Complications of Spinal Injections and Side Effects of Corticosteroids.
There are several different types of Steroid Injections which are utilized to assist in relieving back pain for a patient. A participating physician of Steroid Injections can give a patient more information of the different types of steroid injections which may be helpful to the patient.
Steroid Injections may not be the answer for every patient. Although success rates for Steroid Injections are significantly high, there are circumstances where the injections may not give a patient relief, or the injection may only offer relief for a short period of time. It has been my experience that relief for even a short period of time is Heaven sent. It has also been my experience that a Steroid Injection which does not offer relief for certain conditions can be very frustrating for the patient. If the injection does not offer relief or only offers relief for a short period of time, discussing the issue with your doctor is effective, as the doctor will continue attempting different methods for relieving a patient’s pain. If you are among the millions of people who suffer from intolerable back or neck pain, I encourage you to discuss options for relief with your doctor. Frustration is high when your pain affects the things you do on a daily basis. This pain can affect the simplest things in your life when the pain is not addressed and no attempt at relief is made. Take care of your body and take the right steps to managing your pain to live a happier and healthier life.
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