Spinal issues cover a wide range of common conditions. Unfortunately, many of these conditions can lead to significant medical expenses and disruption to daily life. Spinal injections are a safe and effective, short-term treatment for most spinal issues, and some patients even report long-term relief. There are two types of spinal injections, diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic injections are used to diagnose the source of the pain or discomfort. Therapeutic injections of either anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication are used to keep chronic pain symptoms at bay. These spinal injections are commonly administered to patients who have tried other conservative treatment methods without success.
Types of Therapeutic Spinal Injections:
- Epidural Steroid Injection - this injection delivers anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space. These injections can relieve the back and leg pain caused by conditions, such as a herniated disc or degenerative spine disease. Epidural steroid injections can be administered often and up to six times a year.
- Therapeutic Nerve Block - these medications can be administered directly into the affected nerve or nerve root to reduce inflammation and “block” pain signals. These injections usually relieve symptoms for up to 6 to 12 months and may be repeated as needed.
Benefits of Therapeutic Spinal Injections:
- Minimal Side Effects
- Targeted Pain Relief
- Proven Success Rate
Spinal injections offer temporary relief, but some patients find long-lasting relief. Since therapeutic injections target a very small area, these injections are easy to administer and usually a relatively quick procedure. If you or your loved one would like to learn more about spinal injection treatment, reach out to the experts at SMOC today. We take pride in evaluating, informing, and guiding our patients to their best treatment options!
Dr. Richard Guinand is a Board-Certified sports medicine and spine specialist focusing on the treatment of acute and chronic back pain, workman’s compensation injuries, and non-surgical management of spinal pathology. Dr.Guinand served as a physician for SEAL teams at Naval Amphibious Base and is on staff at Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center with offices in Suffolk, Harbour View and Chesapeake, Virginia.
