Steroid injections have been used as a method of treatment for decades. They are used to temporarily relieve pain associated with a number of different causes. There are different types of steroid injections used based on both the location and root cause of discomfort and pain. Although not permanent, steroid injections can be a reliable and efficient means of alleviating symptoms of back pain. At ProMedSPINE, the expertise of our back doctors allow them to provide patients with these and many other safe and effective pain management treatment options.
How are Steroid Injections Performed?
Every steroid injection is delivered directly into the problem area accompanied by a local anesthetic. The local anesthetic is used reduce any possible discomfort felt from the procedure. The anesthetic gives the patient immediate relief while giving the steroid time to take full effect. Usually, the steroid will take up to 6 or so hours to start providing relief. Since the medication is delivered directly into the area, patients will experience almost immediate symptom relief. This is due to the fact that the medication does not have to run its course through the body before reaching where it needs to be.
At ProMedSPINE, there is a special emphasis placed on making every treatment as safe and as effective as possible. Because of this, many of these procedures can be performed with the assistance of imaging guidance when necessary. Imaging such as MRI, CT, or X-Ray can be utilized in order to ensure pinpoint accuracy.
To learn more about steroid injections and how they are used as pain management treatments, please visit WebMD.com.
Types of Steroid Doses for Back Pain
Epidural Steroid Injections – These types of injections have been used for several decades for relieving symptoms of low-back pain and leg pain. They have also been proven effective for relieving neck and mid-back pain as well. Epidural steroid injections use the anti-inflammatory steroid cortisone along with a local anesthetic to both reduce inflammation and to remove loose particles that may be aggravating symptoms. The period of relief from this injection will vary depending on the individual case, but can range from a few weeks to up to a year.
Pain from some of the following conditions may be treated with epidural steroid injections:
Facet Injections – These are used to diagnose and treat back pain caused by inflammation of the facet joints. Each vertebra contains four facet joints that form a connection between the surrounding vertebrae. These injections are directed into either the joint or the surrounding tissue. Facet injections may provide relief for a few weeks or up to a couple years, depending on the case.
Pain from some of the following conditions that affect the facet joints may be treated with this procedure:
- Spinal Stenosis
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
Sacroiliac Joint Injections – These types of injections are used to help doctors both diagnose and treat pain stemming from problems within the sacroiliac joint in the spine. Steroids and a local anesthetic are injected directly into the joint, relieving pain and reducing swelling. The period of relief will also vary, but can last a few months. These injections can be administered a few times a year.
After a Steroid Dose
The steroid injection itself may cause a temporary increase in pain. As with many types of “shots”, the tissue around the injection site can be distressed, causing pain, swelling, and soreness. Pain and swelling from the injection will usually diminish in a matter of days. Each case is different, so patients will experience varying degrees and lengths of symptom relief. It is important to note that steroids are only a temporary solution for back pain. If the underlying cause of pain is severe, surgical treatment may eventually be required.
Although there are some possible risks associated with steroid injections for back pain, they are quite rare and usually only arise when an inexperienced physician performs the procedure. Each doctor at ProMedSPINE has extensive experience not only with minimally-invasive techniques like injections, but with a broad spectrum of head, neck, and back surgeries and procedures. With their years of experience and expansive knowledge of the nervous system, our doctors provide the best in back pain treatment.
Contact Spinal Experts in Los Angeles Today!
If you feel you may be a candidate for steroid injections for back pain in Los Angeles, or would like to learn more, contact us today. At ProMedSPINE, we take pride in offering the most sophisticated technology and cutting-edge minimally invasive spine procedures to provide the highest quality of care for our patients. To schedule an initial consultation, please contact our spinal center today.
Next, please read about epidural injections.