Spinal injections are a therapeutic technique used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and provide diagnostic information for various spinal conditions. They are often employed when conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or medication, have not been effective. Spinal injections can target specific areas of the spine to provide relief from conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy.
Discogram
Purpose: Primarily used for diagnostic purposes to determine if a specific disc is causing pain.
Procedure: A contrast dye is injected into the disc to evaluate disc integrity and pain response during imaging studies.
Indications: Diagnostic tool for identifying disc-related pain sources.
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
Purpose: To reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerves.
Procedure: A steroid medication combined with a local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space through a needle guided by fluoroscopy (X-ray) or CT imaging.
Indications: Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy.
Facet Joint Injection
Purpose: To reduce pain and inflammation in the facet joints, which are small joints located between each pair of vertebrae.
Procedure: A combination of a local anesthetic and a steroid is injected directly into the facet joint or the surrounding area.
Indications: Facet joint arthritis or pain, facet joint syndrome.
Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB)
Purpose: To identify and relieve pain caused by a specific nerve root by injecting medication near the nerve root.
Procedure: A needle is guided to the nerve root, and a local anesthetic and/or steroid is injected to alleviate pain.
Indications: Radiculopathy, herniated discs compressing specific nerve roots.
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injection
Purpose: To reduce inflammation and pain in the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis.
Procedure: A combination of a local anesthetic and steroid is injected into the SI joint.
Indications: Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, lower back pain related to SI joint issues.