Spinal injections are prescribed as a treatment for pain as well as for diagnostic purposes. They are done by injecting medication into specific areas in your spine to target and relieve pain. If you have been scheduled for a spinal injection, you many have many questions. Fortunately, we've got the answers.
Yes. X-ray guidance is used for accurate needle placement. Whenever any needle is placed in the body there is the risk of infection, allergic reaction, local tissue breakdown, nerve injury, and paresis; but fortunately these complications are very rare for this type of injection. Excessive amounts of cortisone can cause facial flushing, headache, water retention, insomnia, and anxiety. For injections, the dosage of cortisone is low enough so that these should not occur to any significant degree.
Spine injections help to determine what structure in the spine is causing pain. The needle can be very selectively positioned near a specific structure. If the patient gets relief from the injection, it can confirm that the pain generator has been found.
The injection of lidocaine and cortisone near a specific structure in the spine can provide tremendous relief for low back pain. Often the pain is eliminated. Sometimes there is partial relief or no relief. We cannot guarantee any benefit, but most patients feel satisfied. At your 2 week follow-up appointment the doctor will assess how well your injection has helped your pain.
The lidocaine wears off after four to six hours. The cortisone begins helping in two to three days. The pain relief can be permanent or might last only weeks or months. However, the injection will most likely enable you to tolerate more intense exercise. Spine strengthening exercises will greatly improve your chance of long term success. If needed, the injection can be repeated. Though we prefer not to give more than four injections within twelve months due to potential side effects of the steroid, there are no absolute limits on how many cortisone injections you can have.
A small needle is used to numb the appropriate area. You will feel a mild burning sensation from the lidocaine until the area becomes numb. You will usually only feel mild pressure as a second needle is inserted under X-ray guidance and the medication is given. The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes but you will need to wait 45 minutes before and after the injection.
Related posts
Add comment
Cancel reply to comment