Employees with workers comp low back pain are often treated with spinal injections for both treatment and diagnostic purposes. These injections usually use a mixture of an anesthetic and some type of cortisone preparation. The anesthetic is a medication that numbs the area where it is injected. If the injection takes away pain immediately, this is an important indicator suggesting the source of the pain. The cortisone decreases inflammation and can reduce the pain from an inflamed nerve or joint for a prolonged period of time.
Some injections are more difficult to perform and require the use of a fluoroscope. A fluoroscope is a special type of X-ray that allows the doctor to see an X-ray picture continuously on a TV screen. The fluoroscope is used to guide the needle into the correct place before the injection is given.
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI): Back pain from inflamed nerve roots and facet joints may benefit from an epidural steroid injection (ESI). In an ESI, the medication mixture is injected into the epidural space around the nerve roots. ESIs are not always successful in relieving pain. If they do work, they may only provide temporary relief.
Selective Nerve Root Injection: Another type of injection to place steroid medication around a specific inflamed nerve root is called a selective nerve root injection. The fluoroscope is used to guide a needle directly to the painful spinal nerve root. The nerve root is then bathed with the medication.
Facet Joint Injection: When the problem is thought to be in the facet joints, an injection into one or more facet joints can help determine which joints are causing the problem and ease the pain as well. The fluoroscope is used to guide a needle directly into the facet joint. The steroid medication will reduce the inflammation in the joint over a period of days and may reduce or eliminate back pain.
Low Back Pain Trigger Point Injections: Injections of anesthetic medications mixed with a cortisone medication are sometimes given in the muscles, ligaments, or other soft tissues near the spine. These injections are called trigger point injections. These injections can help relieve back pain and ease muscle spasm and tender points in the back muscles.
McCormick Law Office works hard to get the best results in workers compensation back disability cases. Injections can be an integral treatment in workers comp low back pain cases. Our clients of construction, manufacturing and transportation workers often try injections as ordered by their treating physician or surgeon. When someone is in intractable back pain, the prospect of relief generally overcomes needle anxiety. Free parking in our lot at 829 North Marshall Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
