Cortisone Shots for Back Pain
When back pain from conditions such as herniated discs, and spinal stenosis strikes, you want to find the quickest way to get rid of it. But when oral pain medications are not enough, doctors can administer localized injections of cortisone in the spinal joints to reduce the inflammation.
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Process
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The doctor uses anesthetic spray to numb the area where the cortisone shot will be administered. The needle is then inserted into the spinal joint, and the cortisone is released directly to the site of the pain.
Symptom Relief
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Cortisone is not a pain reliever; it simply reduces inflammation. Once the inflammation is reduced, it relieves pressure on the nerves, and helps the pain to subside.
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Side Effects
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Although rare, there is a risk of spinal cord injury, spinal fluid leakage, nerve root injury, and epidural abscess when cortisone shots are used for back pain. Less serious side effects include whitening of the skin (noticeable on dark skin), and a temporary flair in pain.
Time
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The inflammation-reducing effects of cortisone are only temporary. These injections are usually given as a last resort to make physical therapy and other treatments more bearable.
Limits
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Too many cortisone shots can cause deterioration of the joint cartilage, so doctors limit the number of cortisone injections based on the situation of the patient involved.
Pain
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Cortisone shots can cause slight pain and discomfort while being injected into the spinal joints.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Todd Huffman
