Spinal Injections

Who should not take spinal Injections?

Spinal injections should not be given in presence of active infections in the spine or elsewhere in the body. Also if the nerve is damaged or the patient has developed weakness or progressive numbness then spinal injections should be avoided or taken after proper counseling about a guarded prognosis.

What are the types of spinal injections?

• Spine injections for slip disc or spinal stenosis are of various types
• Epidural Steroid Injections
• Facet Joint Injection
• Selective Nerve Root Injections
• Interlaminar Injections
• Transforaminal Injections
• Discal Injections

What is Epidural Spinal Injection (ESI)?

If a nerve root is compressed (pinched) in the epidural space, you can have pain that travels down your back and into your legs (commonly called sciatica) An ESI places low dose topical steroids – which are very strong anti-inflammatory in nature — next to the nerve root that is inflamed & the probable cause of pain. This is a pain management therapy, so it is best to have a well-trained pain management specialist do the injection. You may need 2-3 injections; you should not have more than that because of the potential side effects of the steroids.

What is facet joint injection in spine?

Facet joint injection- These are recommended if the cause of back pain is facet arthritis and inflammation in the facet joint.

What is Selective Nerve Root Injection (SNRI)? What is a selective nerve root block?

Prescribed when the pain is from irritation or inflammation of a particular nerve root. Usually due to herniated disc/slip disc or due to facet arthritis. Also used for diagnostic purpose when there are multilevel disc herniations.