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What type of pain do spinal injections treat?

Spinal injections are typically used to help patients suffering from severe cases of chronic pain. They have both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes: Spinal injections can help determine the exact source of pain, and they’re useful in treating persistent pain — particularly chronic back pain.

Epidural injections are commonly prescribed to manage pain associated with a range of spinal conditions, including:

1. Herniated Discs: When the soft inner material of a spinal disc protrudes through its outer layer, it can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
2. Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness.
3. Degenerative Disc Disease: As spinal discs degenerate over time, they can lose their cushioning properties, resulting in pain and discomfort.
4. Sciatica: Irritation of the sciatic nerve, often caused by compression from a herniated disc or bone spur, can lead to sharp, shooting pain radiating down the leg.
5. Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when a vertebra slips out of place and onto the vertebra below it, causing pain and nerve compression.

Spinal injections are usually just one component of a larger pain management plan, which typically includes specific exercises and stretches designed to fortify the effectiveness of the treatment.

There are three main types of spinal injections, and each is used to treat different types of pain:

• Epidural injections
• Facet joint injections
• Sacroiliac joint injections

What is an epidural injection?

Epidural steroid injections contain a steroid and an anesthetic. When this liquid is injected into the epidural space surrounding your spinal cord and spinal nerves, it reduces swelling and inflammation of the nerves in the epidural space. When your spinal nerves are under less pressure from the surrounding tissues, you’ll find relief from back pain and its associated symptoms, including sciatica.

What is a facet joint injection?

If persistent pain is believed to be caused by degenerative or arthritic conditions or a physical injury, it can usually be treated with a facet joint injection. Many types of neck and back pain are successfully treated with these injections, which are administered to the facet joints of your spine.

Facet joint injections are also a useful diagnostic tool that can be used to pinpoint the exact source of chronic pain.  

What is a sacroiliac joint injection?

This type of injection eases problems with your sacroiliac (SI) joint, which connects your pelvis to your spine. The SI joint is a common source of low back, buttock, and leg pain. Although usually only one of the SI joints is affected and causes pain on one side of your lower body, it is possible for both SI joints to cause pain simultaneously.

What does the injection procedure involve?

Spinal injections are conducted under an X-ray guide known as fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique used to study the movement of body structures.

During a spinal injection, a continuous X-ray is displayed on a monitor to help your doctor ensure that the injection is properly placed. Next, a dyed liquid is injected to ensure that the medication or steroid will flow in the right direction once it is injected; medication isn’t injected until the proper contrast flow is achieved.

Spinal injections are an in-office procedure that may require you to avoid eating or drinking for six hours prior to your appointment. Your physician should be informed of any medications you’re taking, and it’s also a good idea to have someone else drive you home following the procedure.

What are the benefits of spinal injections?

1. Pain Relief: Injections can provide significant pain relief, allowing individuals to resume daily activities and participate in physical therapy more effectively.
2. Non-Surgical Approach: For many patients, epidural injections offer a non-surgical alternative to managing spinal pain, potentially avoiding the risks and recovery time associated with surgery.
3. Diagnostic Tool: In addition to providing relief, epidural injections can serve as a diagnostic tool by helping physicians pinpoint the exact source of the pain. If the injection alleviates the pain, it indicates that the specific area targeted was the source of discomfort.
4. Improved Functionality: By reducing pain and inflammation, epidural injections can enhance mobility and functionality, enabling individuals to engage in activities they may have previously avoided due to discomfort.

Pain Management Doctors Near You - Garden State Pain and Orthopedics

Garden State Pain and Orthopedics is a group of Orthopedic and Pain Management Physicians located in Clifton, Edison, Hazlet, West Orange, and Jersey City who have provided the highest quality healthcare since 1994. Garden State Pain & Orthopedics is on the cutting edge of technology in pain medicine with expertise across diverse pain conditions and treatment modalities, including interventional pain techniques, minimally-invasive surgeries, medical management, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and behavioral therapy. You can schedule an appointment with their pain doctors by selecting the “Book Now” button. 

Locations:

Clifton

Address: 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301, Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: 973-777-5444

Edison

Address: 25 South Main Street, Suite 12, Edison, NJ 08837

Phone: 732-376-0330

Jersey City

Address: 631 Grand Street, Suite 2-100, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Phone: 973-777-5444

West Orange

Address: 443 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone: 732-376-0330

Hazlet

Address: 226 Middle Road, Suite 4, Hazlet, NJ 07730 

Phone: 732-376-0330