According to The Lancet, back pain affected 619 million people in 2020, and the number is expected to reach 843 million. When conservative treatments like rest and physical therapy do not provide relief, spine injections for back pain offer hope. These targeted treatments can reduce inflammation and provide lasting pain relief without surgery.

Spine injections deliver medicine directly to the source of your pain. They work by reducing inflammation around nerves and joints in your spine. Many patients find significant relief from these minimally invasive procedures.

In this article, we will explore the different types of spine injections for back pain relief.

Steroid Injections for Spine Pain

Steroid injections are among the most common spine injections for back pain. These anti-inflammatory medications reduce swelling around compressed nerves.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections are among the most common spine injections for back pain. These injections deliver corticosteroids into the epidural space around the spinal cord. The epidural space surrounds the protective covering of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

These injections help reduce inflammation around compressed or irritated nerves. They are often used to treat conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica. The steroid medication helps decrease swelling and pain signals from affected nerves.

Types of Epidural Injections

There are three main approaches for epidural injections:

  • Interlaminar injections go through the back of the spine between vertebrae.
  • Transforaminal injections target specific nerve roots through the side of the spine.
  • Caudal injections enter through the sacrum at the base of the spine.

Each approach targets different areas and conditions. Your doctor will choose the best method based on your specific symptoms and diagnosis.

Facet Joint Injections

Facet joints connect the vertebrae in your spine. These small joints can become inflamed due to arthritis, injury, or wear and tear. Facet joint injections deliver medicine directly into these joints or nearby nerves.

These injections often include both a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid. The anesthetic provides immediate pain relief. The steroid reduces inflammation for longer-lasting results.

Facet joint injections are commonly used to treat lower back pain and neck pain. They work well for pain that gets worse with bending backward or twisting movements.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections

The sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum to the hip bones. These joints can cause lower back pain and hip pain when they become inflamed or dysfunction occurs.

Sacroiliac joint injections place medicine directly into these joints. The treatment can help diagnose if these joints are causing your pain. It also provides therapeutic relief from inflammation.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger points are tight knots of muscle that can cause pain and stiffness. These painful spots often develop in the muscles along the spine. Trigger point injections place medicine directly into these muscle knots.

These injections typically use local anesthetics like lidocaine (Xylocaine) or bupivacaine (Marcaine). Some doctors also add corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the surrounding tissue.

Trigger point injections work well for muscle-related back pain. They can provide immediate relief and help muscles relax. This treatment is often combined with physical therapy for the best results.

Regenerative Medicine Injections

Modern spine care includes advanced regenerative treatments. These therapies use your body’s natural healing ability to repair damaged tissue.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP therapy uses concentrated platelets from your own blood. A study published in the Journal of Medicine showed that PRP injections reduced pain scores significantly in patients with chronic low back pain after six months of treatment.

PRP injections can help with disc degeneration, ligament injuries, and muscle strains in the spine.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell injections represent the cutting edge of regenerative medicine. Doctors extract stem cells from your bone marrow, typically from your hip bone. These cells can develop into different types of tissue.

Research published in the Pain Physician Journal found that patients receiving stem cell injections for degenerative disc disease showed significant improvement in pain and function at 12 month follow-ups.

Stem cells help rebuild damaged cartilage, bone, and soft tissue. This treatment shows promise for patients with disc degeneration and other spine conditions.

How Spine Injections Work

Spine injections work through several mechanisms. Anti-inflammatory medications reduce swelling around compressed nerves. This relieves pressure and decreases pain signals to your brain.

Regenerative treatments like PRP and stem cells promote actual tissue healing. They stimulate your body to repair damaged structures in your spine.

Most spine injections use ultrasound or X-ray guidance. This ensures the medicine reaches exactly where it needs to go. Precise placement improves effectiveness and reduces side effects.

Who Benefits from Spine Injections?

Spine injections help many different conditions. Patients with herniated discs often find relief from epidural steroid injections. Those with arthritis may benefit from facet joint injections.

Regenerative treatments work well for patients with chronic conditions. PRP and stem cell therapy can also help when other treatments have failed.

Your doctor will evaluate your specific condition to determine the best injection type. Factors include your pain location, underlying diagnosis, and previous treatments.

Spine injections for Back Pain in Cary, Holly Springs, and Morrisville, NC

Spine injections for back pain offer hope when other treatments fall short. At Cary Orthopaedics, our board-certified specialists have extensive experience with all types of spine injections. We use ultrasound guidance to ensure precise placement and optimal results.

Our comprehensive spine center offers both traditional and regenerative injection therapies. We work with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan that fits their specific needs and lifestyle.

Contact Cary Orthopaedics today at (919) 573-4825 to schedule a consultation and discover how spine injections can help you return to the activities you love. You can alternatively reach us at (919) 467-4992 for further information.