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Patients typically experience little discomfort during our procedures. Pain is minimized through the skill of the care team and judicious use of local anesthetic.
Board certification in a primary invasive specialty (anesthesiology, orthopedics, neurosurgery) with further training in pain management is required at Spine and Joint Centers of America.
Spinal injections are used for diagnosis and treatment. Small amounts of anesthetic delivered precisely to a painful structure will temporarily alleviate symptoms providing information about the source of your pain. Anti-inflammatory medication included in the injection will decrease pain related to inflammation and facilitate other treatments.
In some cases, pain may be eliminated as a symptom. In most cases carefully selected combinations of physical therapy, injections, medication management, psychological supportive care, and advanced pain therapies will reduce pain to a tolerable level and allow for a more functional and enjoyable life.
Most patients do not have noticeable side effects. Side effects reported include feeling flushed, increased heart rate, fluid retention, being moody, and difficulty sleeping. Cortisone can cause increased blood pressure and blood sugar, therefore patients with a history of hypertension or diabetes should monitor themselves accordingly following an injection.