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Injective Therapy
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INJECTIVE THERAPIES
Spinal injective therapies are obviously more invasive than exercises, physical therapy, Chiropractic Therapy, or Osteopathic Therapy, however, are less invasive than open surgical procedures. Injective therapies have similar success rates to open neurosurgical procedures with lower risk.
Spinal injective treatments can be done as an outpatient and can be both diagnostic that is to say localize the source of pain as well as therapeutic that is to say provide long-term relief of pain.
These techniques frequently involve the use of fluoroscopic x-ray and a needle to place medication exactly where you need it. Spinal epidural blocks can decrease the inflammation in nerves from ruptured disc or stenosis and decrease the amount of pain as well as prevent the need for a neurosurgery. Spinal facet blocks are useful for diagnosis such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolysis, strain, sprain, and other conditions. If a series of facet blocks are successful at providing relief then a permanent block such as a medial branch neurotomy or facet rhizotomy can be done to provide even longer-term relief of spinal pain. These are the most common type of spinal blocks performed as an outpatient technique to help prevent the need for open neurosurgical procedures.
If you are taking blood thinners such as aspirin, Persantine, Plavix, Coumadin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen or other aspirin-based medications, you will need to see your family physician and cardiologist for approval to discontinue these medications 7 days before and after your procedure.
You will be asked to review your consent regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure and sign the consent and in addition, you will need a driver to drive you home on the day of the procedure. If you have had a surgery, infection or change in your condition in the last six to eight weeks or if you have had a heart attack or stroke within the last six months or if you are a pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you must contact our office.
Most patient’s can go home within a few hours and the medications usually begin to work within a few days. The risks and complications can occur and include infection, bleeding, pain, nerve damage, and headaches and you should contact your doctor if you developed severe headaches, vomiting, temperature over 101 degrees, and weakness in your arms and legs.
Other types of injective therapies include trigger point injections for localized pain, SI joint injections for sacroiliac pain, Botox and external occipital nerve blocks for headache, pain, and muscle spasms, are also useful in the management of certain painful conditions. |
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