If you suffer from neck pain, back pain, arm pain or sciatica you should consider spinal injections as a treatment option, as these represent usually the fastest and most effective non-surgical treatment of these pain conditions, because they deliver the active agent directly to the source of your pain.

Spinal injections are a type of treatment for acute and chronic pain that involves injecting medication into the spine. This medication can help reduce inflammation, numb the pain, and/or block the transfer of the pain signals in the nerves.

They can reduce the pain significantly and improve your quality of life. In some cases the effect is even long lasting. In other cases, it needs repeating

Who Might Need It?

People who have chronic pain that affects their daily life and does not respond to conservative treatments.
People with pain caused by various conditions, such as sciatica, herniated disc, osteoarthritis, and other conditions.
People who want to diagnose the source of their pain by testing how their nerves react to the medication.
People who want to avoid or delay surgery.
People who want to have faster and more effective pain relief than with oral pain killers.

Pain Management Stages

Spinal Injections: How does it work?

Spinal injection procedure involves injecting medication into or near the spine to reduce pain. Here are the basic steps of how it works:

The doctor will apply local anesthetics to the injection site to make the procedure as painless as possible.
The doctor will use X-ray guidance, called fluoroscopy, to confirm the correct needle placement.
The doctor will inject a liquid contrast (dye) before the medication to ensure the needle is in the correct location.
The doctor will inject an anesthetic and/or an anti-inflammatory medication near the affected nerve or into the affected joint.
The doctor will remove the needle and put a plaster on the injection site.

The medication will reduce the inflammation and numb the pain or block the nerve signals that cause pain. The effects of the medication can last from a few hours to several months, depending on the type and dose of the medication and the cause of the pain. Repeated injections generally have a better and longer lasting effect.

The Injection often causes temporary weakness and numbness in the relevant limb, which disappears within a few minutes or hours. So, there is no reason to worry if you experience this after the injection, but you should be careful when standing up and walking since this can lead to an injury.

Types of Spinal Injections

There are different types of spinal injections that can help diagnose or treat pain. Some of the most common ones are:

Epidural injections

Epidural injections are a type of spinal injection that deliver medication into the epidural space, which is the area between the spinal cord and the bony wall of the spine.

It can be used for different purposes, such as:

- Providing pain relief or anesthesia for labor, childbirth, surgery, or chronic pain.
- Treating pain that radiates from the spine to the arms or legs, such as sciatica or herniated disc pain.

The medication used in epidural injection in Dubai can be either an anesthetic and/or a steroid. An anesthetic blocks pain signals from the spine to the brain, while a steroid reduces inflammation and swelling around the nerve roots.

Facet joint injections

Facet joint injections are a type of spinal injection that deliver medication into or around the facet joints (the small joints that link the spine bones).

Facet joint injections can be used to:

- Treat pain that originates from the facet joints, such as arthritis or injury.
- Diagnose which facet joint is causing the pain by testing how the joint responds to the medication.

The medication used in facet joint injections Dubai can be either an anesthetic or a steroid or a combination of both.

Sacroiliac joint injections

Sacroiliac joint injections are a type of spinal injection that deliver medication into the sacroiliac joints, which are between the sacrum and the pelvic bones.

Sacroiliac joint injection Dubai can be used to:

- Treat pain in the lower back, buttocks, or legs that is caused by problems in these joints, such as arthritis or injury.
- Diagnose which sacroiliac joint is causing the pain by testing how the joint responds to the medication.

trigger point spine pain treatment in dubai

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections are a type of spinal injection that deliver medication into the trigger points, which are the tense bands of muscle that cause pain and stiffness.

Trigger point injections can be used to:

- Treat pain that is caused by muscle spasms or tension, such as myofascial pain syndrome or fibromyalgia.
- Ease the tension in the muscles and enhance the blood flow to the affected area.

Sympathetic nerve blocks

Sympathetic nerve blocks deliver medication to the sympathetic nerves, which control some involuntary body functions, such as blood flow and sweating.

Sympathetic nerve blocks can be used to:

- Treat pain that is related to the sympathetic nervous system, like complex regional pain syndrome or phantom limb pain.
- Diagnose which sympathetic nerve is causing the pain by testing how the nerve responds to the medication.

Transforaminal Injection

This treatment involves injecting corticosteroid medications directly into the epidural space to reduce inflammation of the nerve roots.

It can be used to treat a variety of conditions including:

- Lower back pain
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs

Piriformis Injection

It is a treatment for piriformis syndrome, where a muscle in the buttock compresses the sciatic nerve, causing pain.

The injection, often guided by imaging, contains medication to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

If you are considering spinal injection in Dubai for your pain, you should consult with a qualified doctor about the benefits and risks of this treatment option.

Also Read: Know the Different Types of Spinal Injections for Pain Relief

The Pros and Cons of Spinal Injections

Like any other medical intervention, Spinal injections have advantages and disadvantages. Your doctor would only suggest this option for your pain if they think the positive outcomes outweigh the negative ones.

These are some factors you should consider before deciding to have this procedure:

The advantages of spinal injections

They are easy to administer and require minimal discomfort during the injection process.
They have a low probability of severe side effects compared to oral medications.
They offer targeted pain relief that can last for several weeks.
They can reduce the need for surgery or other invasive procedures.

The disadvantages of spinal injections

This kind of treatment has no severe side effects, but they are not always a permanent solution and may require repeated injections over time. Also, they may not work for everyone or every type of back pain, and they might cause some temporary side effects, like pain, numbness, weakness or bleeding, rarely even some allergic reaction.

Consult Dr. Martin Liner for spine pain treatment in Dubai

Are you suffering from chronic pain that affects your daily life? If so, you may be a candidate for spinal injections, a safe and effective procedure that can reduce inflammation and pain in your spine.

Dr. Martin – Spine Doctor in Dubai, offers personalized and comprehensive care for his patients. He will evaluate your condition, explain the benefits and risks of spinal injections, and answer any questions you may have.