Spine and back injections are targeted treatments that relieve pain caused by conditions like herniated discs, arthritis, spinal stenosis, or nerve irritation. Dr. Dipan Patel, our board-certified interventional pain physician, specializes in using these minimally invasive procedures to reduce inflammation, ease pressure on nerves, and help you regain mobility and comfort in daily life.
Relieve Pain With Targeted Injections
Spine and back injections are specialized treatments that target painful areas of the spine to reduce inflammation, calm irritated nerves, and improve mobility. They are often recommended when conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or medications, have not provided sufficient improvement. Dr. Patel offers cutting-edge spine and back injections, including epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, and trigger point injections to relieve pain and restore mobility.
What Do Spine & Back Injections Treat?
Spine and back injections target the underlying causes of back and neck pain by reducing inflammation, calming irritated nerves, and relieving pressure in the spine. By delivering medication directly to the source of discomfort, injections can provide both pain relief and valuable diagnostic information about the origin of your symptoms.
Common conditions and symptoms that spine and back injections may help with include:
- Persistent back or neck pain from arthritis or disc problems
- Pain that radiates into the arms or legs due to nerve irritation
- Muscle tightness or spasms that limit mobility
- Pain worsened by certain movements, bending, or standing for long periods
- Inflammation from conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis
Types of Spine & Back Injections
Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections deliver a corticosteroid medication into the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. By placing the medication at this exact location, inflammation of the spinal nerves caused by conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis can be reduced. This helps relieve radiating pain, numbness, or tingling that often travels into the arms or legs, which can help improve mobility and reduce reliance on medications.
Facet Joint Injections
Epidural steroid injections deliver a corticosteroid medication into the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. By placing the medication at this exact location, inflammation of the spinal nerves caused by conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis can be reduced. This helps relieve radiating pain, numbness, or tingling that often travels into the arms or legs, which can help improve mobility and reduce reliance on medications.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections release tight bands of muscle, often referred to as “knots,” that can cause localized pain or radiating discomfort. These trigger points develop when muscle fibers remain contracted, irritating surrounding nerves and limiting normal movement. The injection, which may contain a local anesthetic, a corticosteroid, or sometimes just a numbing solution, is placed directly into the trigger point to help it relax and restore normal muscle function.
Benefits of Spine & Back Injections:
- Provide targeted relief by delivering medication directly to the source of pain
- Reduce inflammation in spinal nerves, joints, or muscles
- Improve mobility and function in daily activities
- Offer a minimally invasive alternative to surgery
- Can serve as a diagnostic tool to identify the source of pain
- Decrease reliance on oral pain medications
- Allow for quicker recovery compared to more invasive treatments
How Do I Know Which Injection is Right for Me?
The type of injection recommended will depend on your specific diagnosis, symptoms, and imaging results. If nerve irritation from a herniated disc is the main issue, an epidural steroid injection may be most effective. If arthritis is the source of your pain, a facet joint injection might be more appropriate. For localized muscle pain, trigger point injections may provide relief. Dr. Patel will review your medical history and exam findings to determine the best option for you.
How Long Do the Effects of These Injections Last?
The duration of relief varies depending on your condition and the type of injection. Some patients experience pain relief lasting several weeks, while others may notice benefits for several months or years. Some may not experience relief at all and a lack of response can weigh heavily in managing your specific condition going forward. Epidural steroid injections, for example, can help calm inflammation long enough to allow you to participate in physical therapy, return to work/activities of daily living, and address the root cause.
Why Choose Dr. Patel for Spine & Back Injections?
Dr. Dipan Patel is a double board-certified interventional pain physician specializing in minimally invasive treatments for spine and joint conditions. With advanced fellowship training from NYU Langone, he offers targeted solutions like epidural steroid, facet joint, and trigger point injections to help you find relief from back and neck pain. His approach is focused on restoring function, reducing inflammation, and improving your life without surgery. Schedule your consultation to explore your options for spine and back injections in Morris County, NJ.
