Chronic pain is relentless and unpredictable. You might experience good days, but when pain strikes, there’s no sign of it improving. Living with the uncertainty of when pain will resurface can be extremely frustrating. Fortunately, Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology in Charlotte provides medical injections that offer a solution.
Pain management injections are minimally invasive procedures that provide effective and lasting relief. If you suffer from chronic pain due to various injuries or conditions, our specialists at Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology in Charlotte are here to help. Call 704-412-3045 to consult with one of our experts or book an appointment today.
How Are Medical Injections Used in Pain Management?
Pain relief injections include various types of medications. Most injections consist of a steroid like cortisone, a local anesthetic, or a combination.
Information About Steroidal Injections
Injections containing steroids are primarily used for long-term relief from pain and inflammation. Commonly, epidural steroid injections are used to alleviate lower back pain, as well as discomfort in the neck and upper back. These injections deliver medication into the epidural space around the spinal cord, providing significant pain relief.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve block injections are another variation. These aim to relieve acute pain by interrupting nerve signals sent to the brain. While generally used to manage pain associated with inflamed nerves, they can also help identify the exact source of discomfort.
Injection Procedure
Injections are administered through a straightforward process. First, the targeted area is cleaned and a local anesthetic is applied. Using X-ray guidance and a test dye, the precise site for medication delivery is identified. Lastly, the specialist injects the medication and covers the site with a small bandage. Patients typically notice pain reduction as the medication takes effect. The number of injections required for long-term relief varies from patient to patient.
Conditions Treated with Injections
Pain management injections are effective for treating various injuries and conditions causing chronic pain. Notable examples include:
Common Injuries:
- Back Injuries: Resulting from repetitive motions, heavy lifting, sports accidents, twisting, or falls.
- Dislocated or Fractured Vertebrae
- Cervical or Lumbar Sprains
- Whiplash
- Herniated Disc
- Muscle Strain
- Car Accident Injuries
Common Conditions:
Osteoarthritis: Over time, cartilage that cushions bones deteriorates, leading to osteoarthritis. This commonly affects joints in the spine, hips, knees, and hands but can occur in nearly any joint.
Radiculopathy: Caused by pinched nerves resulting from degenerative changes, injuries, or inflammation of soft tissue.
Degenerative Discs: Age-related degeneration of spinal discs can cause significant back pain.
Spinal Stenosis: Conditions like bone spurs, herniated discs, or thickened ligaments can narrow the spinal canal, putting pressure on surrounding nerves.
Available Medical Injections at Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology
Spinal Injections
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA uses heat to destroy tissue and manage chronic pain in arthritic joints, lower back, and neck. Radio waves are transmitted through a needle to heat part of the affected nerve, preventing it from sending pain signals to the brain. This can be effective for individuals who haven’t responded to treatments like physical therapy or pain medications.
Cervical Medial Branch Block Injections
These injections treat facet joint pain that may cause referred shoulder pain, headaches linked to neck joints, and neck pain. The procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic outside the facet joint, near the medial branch nerves, to block pain signals. They can also predict the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablations.
Cervical Epidural Injections
Used for temporary relief from chronic neck pain caused by spinal nerve root inflammation and irritation. Conditions like cervical spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and osteoarthritis cause these problems. Anti-inflammatory medication is injected into the epidural space of the neck to provide relief.
Thoracic Facet Joint Injections
Facet joints between vertebral bones in the upper back can suffer from arthritis, mechanical stress, and injury. These injections relieve pain in the mid to upper back regions, including the chest and arms. The procedure involves injecting a mixture of local anesthesia and corticosteroids into the facet joints.
Thoracic Epidural Injections
These injections address pain in the mid to upper part of the back, providing temporary relief to facilitate physical therapy or eliminate the need for surgery. The medication is delivered into the epidural space around the spine to treat spinal stenosis, injuries, thoracic post-surgical spine syndrome, and disc herniation that causes pain in the arms and back.
Lumbar Facet Joint Injections
Found in the lower back, lumbar facet joints can be a source of pain due to arthritis or facet arthropathy. These injections involve introducing a local anesthetic into the affected joints near the spine. The number of injections required depends on the number of joints affected.
Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Injections
Dural or lumbar disc inflammation can cause lower back pain, especially when bending. If the pain extends to the legs, it might indicate inflamed nerve roots. This procedure injects steroids into the epidural space in the lower back, targeting the inflammation source.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
The sacroiliac joints connect the pelvis to the spine, one on each side of the body. Pain in the hip, buttock, or lower back may originate from these joints. This procedure eases pain by injecting medication directly into the joint, also useful for diagnosing back pain sources.
Spine Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
PRP injections differ from others by not using medication for pain relief. Instead, they deliver a concentrated dose of platelets and plasma from the patient’s blood to decrease inflammation and accelerate healing. These injections provide lasting results and have fewer side effects than steroids.
Joint Injections
Joint Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
PRP injections use the patient’s blood to promote faster healing of affected joints. High concentrations of growth factors in plasma aid this process. A centrifuge extracts platelet-rich plasma from the patient’s blood, which is then injected into the injured joint. This can help joint injuries heal, with results visible within weeks. PRP injections are considered safer than commonly used pain medications like corticosteroids.
Joint Steroid Injections
Steroid shots can benefit those with chronic joint pain due to inflammation. These injections contain a numbing agent and a corticosteroid, directly administered to the affected joint capsule. They significantly reduce inflammation and offer pain relief for days, months, or even years. Injection sites include knee, shoulder, hip, sacroiliac, and facet joints.
Effective Pain Relief Today!
Chronic pain can drastically affect your quality of life. If other pain relief methods haven’t worked, consider medical injections at Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology in Charlotte. Dial 704-412-3045 to speak with one of our pain relief specialists or to schedule an appointment. Start your journey to a pain-free life today!
