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  • Neck Steroid Injections: What You Need to Know

Neck Steroid Injections: What You Need to Know

Chronic neck pain can be debilitating, affecting your daily activities and sleep quality. If you've exhausted conservative treatments like physical therapy and pain medication, your doctor might recommend neck steroid injections. Let's delve into this procedure, addressing common questions you might have.


What are neck steroid injections?

Imagine you have a pinched nerve in your neck, causing pain. This nerve is surrounded by swollen tissue, like a jammed finger. A neck steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure that can help. It's like delivering medicine directly to the inflamed area to bring down the swelling and ease your pain. Here's a closer look at how neck steroid injections work:

The Medication

The medicine used is called a corticosteroid, a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. Just like ice can reduce swelling on your ankle, a corticosteroid injection can target inflammation around the pinched nerve in your neck.

Delivery Method

The corticosteroid is injected into the epidural space, a fatty area surrounding the spinal cord and nerves in your neck. This ensures the medicine reaches the targeted area for maximum effect.

The goals of the Injection

By reducing inflammation around the pinched nerve, the injection aims to relieve your neck pain and improve nerve function. This can also help ease any numbness, tingling, or weakness you might be experiencing.


Remember, this explanation is for general understanding only. If you're considering neck steroid injections, it's important to talk to your doctor about your specific situation.

What conditions do neck steroid injections treat?

Neck ESIs are most effective for pain caused by nerve compression. This can be due to:

  • Cervical radiculopathy: This occurs when a herniated disc or bone spurs in your cervical spine (neck) pinch a spinal nerve root. Symptoms include radiating pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the neck, shoulder, and arm.

  • Spondylosis: Age-related wear and tear of the spine can cause inflammation and narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on nerves.

What happens during a neck steroid injection?

The procedure is typically done on an outpatient basis. Here's a general breakdown:

Preparation

You'll lie on your stomach or side on a fluoroscopy table (an X-ray machine that provides real-time images). Your doctor will numb a small area on your neck.

Needle placement

Using fluoroscopy guidance for accuracy, the doctor inserts a thin needle through your back into the epidural space near the affected nerve root.

Medication injection

A mixture of corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic is injected. The anesthetic provides immediate pain relief, while the steroid works overtime to reduce inflammation.

Recovery

After a brief monitoring period, you can usually go home within an hour.

How effective are neck steroid injections?

Studies show that Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) can seriously cut your pain in half for up to 3 months, with about half of people getting this kind of relief. Here's the deal: you typically get one shot at first, and depending on how you do, your doctor might recommend one or two more injections spaced a few weeks apart.


The key thing to remember is that this shooting neck pain can have different causes, from everyday wear and tear to diabetes or even something more serious. So, it's important to see your doctor to figure out what's going on and if CESIs are the right path for you.

The good stuff:

  • CESIs can seriously reduce your pain!

  • It's a minimally invasive procedure (no major surgery involved).

Things to consider:

  • You might need more than one injection.

  • CESIs don't work for all types of neck pain.

  • If that nagging neck pain is making life miserable, talk to your doctor about CESIs and see if they might be the answer to feeling better!


After you get the steroid injection, doctors usually recommend physical therapy and exercises you can do at home. These exercises help strengthen the muscles in your neck while the medicine from the shot is working to ease your pain. This "window" of feeling better and being able to strengthen your neck can last a few weeks to a few months.


Most people are watched for about 20-30 minutes after the injection to make sure they feel okay. Sometimes, if someone has a stronger reaction, they might need help getting home.

Are there any risks or side effects?

Neck steroid injections are generally safe, but some potential risks include:

  • Infection

  • Bleeding

  • Nerve damage (rare)

  • Temporary headache or dizziness

  • Facial flushing

  • Increased blood sugar (if you have diabetes)

How many neck steroid injections can I have?

The number of injections you can receive depends on several factors, including your response to treatment and the severity of your condition. Generally, doctors recommend no more than three injections in a year to minimize potential side effects.


What are the alternatives to neck steroid injections?

If neck ESIs aren't suitable for you, other treatment options include:

  • Physical therapy: Exercises and stretches to improve flexibility, strength, and posture.

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen.

  • Prescription pain medication: For severe pain.

  • Facet joint injections: Injections targeting specific spinal joints.

  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery might be necessary to remove a herniated disc or relieve nerve compression.

How do I decide if neck steroid injections are right for me?

Discuss your neck pain with your doctor. They will consider your medical history, symptoms, and results of diagnostic tests like X-rays or MRIs to determine if neck ESIs are a suitable treatment option for you.

Conclusion

Neck steroid injections can be a valuable tool for managing chronic neck pain caused by nerve compression. By understanding the procedure, its benefits, and potential drawbacks, you can work with your doctor to decide if this treatment is right for you. Remember, this blog post is intended for informational purposes only and shouldn't substitute professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for personalized guidance regarding your neck pain.

Considering Neck Steroid Injections? Pinnacle Orthopaedics Can Help

At Pinnacle Orthopaedics, our team of experienced and dedicated professionals offers comprehensive orthopedic care, including minimally invasive procedures like neck steroid injections. We understand the challenges of chronic neck pain and are committed to helping you find lasting relief.


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Need expert orthopedic care? Stop searching for "orthopedics near me"! Pinnacle Orthopaedics offers comprehensive solutions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your treatment options.



The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.