newlifeoutlook
Treatments

Can Epidural Injections Help Back Pain?

Jul 27, 2017
  • Traditional Medicine
Epidural needle

Epidural for Back Pain

My husband has debilitating lower back pain. It took him a while to get a diagnosis – as we all know, insurance requires our physicians to jump through hoops to order diagnostic tests.

Eventually, he had an MRI that confirmed a herniation in a vertebra at the lumbar level, and he was quickly referred to a neurosurgeon.

It was bad enough where an “easy” surgery wasn’t indicated, but not bad enough that he couldn’t put the surgery off until he was ready.

He needed to have a fusion of the spine to fix it, but he could “deal” with the pain until he couldn’t anymore, because as we learned, one fusion surgery inevitably leads to another, especially when you’re dealing with the lower spine.

One thing that was offered? Injections to “fix” the pain.

It did manage his pain, temporarily. He would get the injections every several months and feel pretty dang good.

However, he also noticed that his legs were weak when he got the injections – not a good feeling for a 30-something guy who is active in running, skiing, snowboarding, and softball.

So, he looked for answers.

The Pros

As my husband found out, the injections can be highly effective at reducing pain. They helped him live a more normal life – until the next injection.

The injections are given by a highly trained physician, typically a radiologist. It is typically cortisone, a steroid that is known to reduce inflammation.

Although some institutions have specific rules for how many injections can be given per the calendar year (or at all), research indicates that there is no upper limit to this number.

There are also other types of injections that can be given to reduce pain, such as trigger point injections and facet injections.

These injections may use just a local anesthetic or a local anesthetic in conjunction with a steroid. They may be equally effective if used with a steroid, but likely won’t work for a long duration if used just as a local anesthetic.

Some people like injections for pain control because it means a reduction in taking oral pain medications, which can have a laundry list of side effects, especially if they have other comorbid conditions such as liver or kidney conditions.

The Cons

Cortisone may reduce inflammation. However, it is so potent that it can weaken tendons and break down and soften cartilage.

What does this mean for the long-term?

You May Also Like:Back Pain and Painkiller Effectiveness
See Also:
  • Relief of Back Pain
  • Best Treatment for Back Pain
  • Back Pain Treatment
  • Arthritis Back Pain Relief

This may not be a big deal for people who are not surgical candidates, but for someone like my husband, it may mean that his musculature, his cartilage, and tendons may be too weak to hold up after the surgery, rendering the surgery ineffective.

It is also a widely known fact that steroids can increase blood sugar levels.

For some people with diabetes, an injection of cortisone does not increase blood sugar levels or only does so temporarily and for others, the cortisone injection wreaks havoc on blood sugar levels for days and even weeks afterward.

The Bottom Line…

There is no right or wrong answer as to if you should get spinal injections for back pain. They are highly effective and can be an excellent way to treat pain.

Always weigh the pros and cons, and your goals for further surgical options.

Enjoy this article?
Stay up-to-date with all the Back Pain news, articles, and updates from your community!
Subscribe Now
Krystina Ostermeyer
Krysti is a practicing RN who also enjoys writing about health and wellness. She writes for a variety of NewLifeOutlook communities, as her ten years of nursing experience has enabled her to help many people with a variety of chronic conditions in her career. See all of Krystina's articles
More Articles by Krystina
Resources
  • Spine Universe (The Truth about Cortisone Shots)
Print This

We all have a voice,what's your story?

We learn from each other. Share your story to let others with know they’re not alone.

Share Your Story

Back PainNewsletter Sign-up

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, and updates from your community!

Subscribe Now

Join our private Facebook Group

to ask questions, get answers, and find support from fellow Warriors!

Join the Discussion
Print This
ConnectWithUs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer
© 2021 NewLifeOutlook™ All rights reserved.