14 Mar Spinal Injections for Pain Relief
Spinal injections can be used to diagnose and treat several chronic pain conditions.
Epidural steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections deliver powerful, anti-inflammatory medication directly into an irritated nerve root in the spinal cord. This usually happens in conditions where back pain is radiating from the spine into the arms or legs.
Facet joint injections
The spine is made up of small bones, or vertebrae. They are connected to each other by facet joints. Facet joint injections can help to diagnose or treat pain affecting these joints. Such pain may be caused due to injury or by degenerative conditions, like arthritis.
Medial branch nerve blocks
A medial branch block delivers an anesthetic into the medial nerves connected to the facet joints. This spinal injection often serves as a diagnostic tool, and also provides some immediate relief.
Radiofrequency ablation
RFA or Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to damage pain-causing nerves to prevent them from transmitting pain signals. A tiny electrode is inserted through the needle to send a mild electrical current to the affected nerve. This disables the nerve and stops your pain.
Sacroiliac joint injections
The sacrum and pelvic bones are held together by SI or Sacroiliac joints. Degenerative conditions can damage these joints, causing pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.SI joint injections act as diagnostic as well as longer-lasting pain relief tools.
Sympathetic nerve blocks
Sympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that controls involuntary body functions, such as digestion and blood flow.Sympathetic nerve blocks can disable the sympathetic nerves in the neck or lower back for pain relief in Raynaud’s syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome patients.
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