You Don’t Have To Deal With Pain On Your Own
Back pain is incredibly common. More than half of adults in the US have suffered from back pain, with 55% of those patients trying to treat back pain alone. Thankfully, patients don’t have to feel alone. Steroid injections are an effective treatment for managing back pain. With a simple injection, patients experience a decrease in pain and inflammation in a short amount of time.
How do steroid shots work?
Steroid shots use an injection of cortisone to help reduce inflamed joints and tissue. The goal is to stop the cycle of inflammation in the spine. Usually, a healthcare provider will use a local anesthetic with the steroid to help decrease the pain of the shot.
After the injection
Most patients start feeling the effects of the shot after 1-3 days. Some people may have to wait up to a week before feeling the benefits. In the first few hours after the procedure, patients may feel pain. However, this is only the anesthetic wearing off and is not a reason to be concerned. After a few days, patients feel a significant improvement in pain symptoms.
How long does relief last?
Steroid injections are not a cure-all shot. People can experience a significant reduction in pain for several months after the procedure. Usually, healthcare providers will recommend that patients return every 3-6 months for another injection to keep discomfort at bay.
Understanding symptom management
Steroid injections are often part of an overall treatment plan for managing back pain. If someone has back pain due to an underlying condition like arthritis, the treatment is not intended to cure the condition. Instead, the injection is a treatment for managing symptoms so that people can get back to a healthy life.
Pain management options
Other treatments for managing back pain are often used in conjunction with steroid injections. Doctors may recommend pain medications or anti-inflammatories, either by prescription or over-the-counter. Physical therapy can also teach patients how to move in a way that decreases pain. The treatment can also help patients get stronger and learn to more safely and effectively.
Am I a candidate for steroid injections?
Steroid injections are an effective treatment for many types of patients. Some of the most common conditions that benefit from steroid injections include spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. For more recommendations about managing back pain, speak with a pain management specialist.
