Examples
Trigger point injections Sometimes, putting pressure on a certain spot in the back (called a trigger point) can cause pain in another area of the body, such as the hip or leg. To relieve pain, a local anesthetic, either alone or combined with a corticosteroid, may be injected into the area of the back that triggers pain (trigger point injection).
Facet joint injections A local anesthetic or corticosteroid is injected into a facet joint, which is one of the points where one vertebra connects to another.
Epidural injections A corticosteroid is injected into the spinal canal where it bathes the sheath that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots.
These injections can be done by an orthopedist, an anesthesiologist, a neurologist, a physiatrist, a pain management specialist, or a rheumatologist.
How It Works
Local anesthesia is believed to break the cycle of pain that can cause you to become less physically active. Muscles that are not being exercised are more easily injured, so the irritated and injured muscles can cause more pain and spasm and can disrupt sleep. This pain, spasm, and fatigue, in turn, can lead to less and less activity.
Steroids reduce inflammation, which can relieve pressure on nerves and nerve roots.
Why It Is Used
Injections may be appropriate if you have symptoms of nerve root compression or facet inflammation and you do not respond to nonsurgical therapy after 6 weeks.
How Well It Works
Trigger point injections
Recent research has not demonstrated that local injections are effective in controlling chronic low back pain.1
Facet joint injections
When used to treat chronic low back pain, facet joint injection of a corticosteroid is no more effective than a placebo injection.1
Epidural steroid injections
Evidence supporting epidural steroid injection is mixed. Recent research does not demonstrate a clear benefit.2, 1 However, some people seem to get short-term relief, especially from pain that spreads down the leg.3
Side Effects
Trigger point injections
Possible side effects include nerve or other tissue damage, infection, or excessive bleeding.
Facet joint injections
Possible side effects include pain at the injection site, infection, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, or spinal cord inflammation.
Epidural steroid injections
Rare possible side effects include headache, fever, spinal cord inflammation, or infection.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
These injections can be painful.
Most orthopedists and rheumatologists advise against repeated injections of corticosteroids directly into joints, including joints of the spine, since degeneration or damage to joint cartilage may occur.
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References
Citations
Van Tulder M, Koes B (2004). Low back pain (chronic). Clinical Evidence (12): 1657–1682.
Van Tulder M, Koes B (2004). Low back pain (acute). Clinical Evidence (12): 1643–1658.
Datta D, et al. (2005). Low back pain. In ED Harris Jr et al., eds., Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 7th ed., vol. 1, pp. 588–600. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | February 15, 2006 |
Lila Havens
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