Back Pain Conventional Treatments
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A spinal injection is a common treatment for lower back pain, inflammation and sciatica. Typically a spinal injection is tried as a last step prior to surgery. It can also be used as a complement to physical therapy. The goal is to provide immediate, short-term relief by reducing the pain and inflammation to allow the therapy to be more effective.
The procedure involves identifying the local where the pain is originating from. This is accomplished with CT, Xray or MRI films and a series of questions that your doctor will ask.
You'll begin in a pre-op area where a nurse will ask you some mdeical history questions, take your vital signs and will review your discharge instructions. Then you are guided to the operating room. You'll be asked to lie face down on the table or gurney. Pillows are placed under the stomach area causing the back to arch, opening up and allowing easier access to the epidural space. A fluoroscope is used to assist the physician in finding the appropriate lumbar vertebra and nerve root. A local anesthetic is given to numb the skin clear down to the spine. Then a thicker needle is inserted to apply the steroid/cortisone epidural mixture bathing the painful nerve root in soothing medication. The fluoroscope is used to guide the needle into the exact position in the epidural space. Normally the only thing that is felt during this part is some minor pressure and/or some slight cramping. The needle is then removed and a small bandage is applied.
Next you are assisted to the recovery area where your vital signs are taken once again. At this point you are monitored for any allergic reactions (flushing, rashes, etc) and you'll be asked how you feel again. Then they will review your discharge instructions with you again letting you know what to expect over the next few days. Finally you're vital signs are taken once again and if everything checks out ok, you're given the ok to go. The procedure itself takes no more than 5-10 minutes but expect to be there up to an hour or more depending on how busy they are.
Spinal injections affect people different because there are so many variables involved. They are different variations of the medicine given so that if you have an allergic reaction to one, another one can be used on any follow-up visits. Some people find relief after just one shot but it is more common to be given at least 2 injections to get the full benefit of the medicine.
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