I receive anesthetic trigger point injections and for the most part I have found them helpful although not always consistent...I call it "getting my juice". I find with the injections I no longer feel like the tin man from Oz...and although it does hurt to some degree receiving them...the benefit has been worth while for me. I've also found this treatment carries less side-effects than other prescription medication and also works good in combination with them too.
I'm sharing this information to give you something to think about. To share information on a treatment you may not have considered yet. Please read the following information and speak to your doctor if you'd like to add it your treatment too.
Anesthetic or Corticosteroid Injections for Low Back Pain
Examples
Trigger point injections. Sometimes, putting pressure on a certain spot in the back (called a trigger point) can cause pain at that spot or extending to another area of the body, such as the hip or leg. To try to relieve pain, a local anesthetic, either alone or combined with a corticosteroid, is injected into the area of the back that triggers pain(trigger point injection).
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. Then 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. So a corticosteroid injected into the spinal canal can help relieve pressure on nerves and nerve roots.
Why It Is Used
Injections may be tried 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 Research has not shown that local injections are effective in controlling acute or chronic low back pain that does not spread down the leg.
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call911or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor if you have:
- Hives.
- Pain and swelling around the injection site that lasts more than 2 days.
One common side effect of this medicine is pain and swelling the first day or two after the injection. It may help to apply ice at home for 15 to 20 minutes.
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 but 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, because degeneration or damage to joint cartilage may occur.
Nobody likes needles. But experienced doctors can usually do the injection in under 30 seconds. It does hurt, but it's quick.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
The above article was copied directly from Webmd.com