What are the symptoms of back pain?

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Patients will typically experience pain across the back, sometimes radiating to the hip or buttocks. Specific symptoms depend on what structures or combination of structures in the spine is causing the back pain. Degeneration of the facet joints can result in pain with sitting or standing. Degeneration of the lumbar disc may result in herniation. Pain occurring from the disc can be felt as constant pain across the back. When disc is herniated back pain may radiate to the leg. Pain from sacroiliac joint is felt at the low back, buttocks or hip. Pain can be worse sitting, standing or climbing stairs los angeles minimally invasive spine institute.

What causes back pain?

Back pain is usually caused by degenerative conditions of the spine, or wear and tear. The most common causes of back pain vary with age. The usual sources are the back joints, called facets, the intervertebral disc or the sacroiliac joint. The facet joints are the joints that hold the back of the spine together. The disc is a cushion between the vertebrae. The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the spine and the pelvis beverly hills spine surgery.

How is back pain evaluated?

The first step in the evaluation of back pain is a careful history and physical examination. Often, a history will give many clues as to what part of the back is causing the pain; the joints or the disc. When conservative care with medications and therapy fails to bring relief, an MRI gives doctors a look inside the back ucla spine surgeons.

How is back pain treated?

Medications and therapy are the first line in the treatment of back pain. In patients that don’t respond a spinal pain management evaluation can be performed. In this highly specialized evaluation, we determine which of the structures in the back the pain is emanating from. Spinal injections can bring relief and confirm the source of pain. Minimally invasive surgery is reserved only for cases that do not improve with spinal injections.

What is a lumbar epidural steroid injection?

An epidural steroid injection is used to treat pain arising from irritation of spinal nerves and discs. Steroid medications, designed to reduce inflammation, are injected into the epidural space. The epidural space is a space in the spine superficial to the spinal cord where spinal nerves travel.

Are there safety concerns?

In 2012 there was an outbreak of meningitis caused by contaminated steroids. All cases came from facilities that used medications that were mixed in an unclean environment. The Los Angeles Minimally invasive Spine Institute only uses medications that are mixed in the operating room under clean and sterile conditions at the time of injection.

How is an epidural steroid injection performed?

The physician places a small needle through the skin of the lower back and through a natural opening in the bones of the spine. The needle then is directed into the epidural space where spinal nerves travel. A small amount of x-ray dye shows the doctor that the needle is in the correct location. The injection includes a mixture of medications that reduce inflammation and medications that reduce pain. Epidural injections can be performed in the neck, upper back or low back. They can be placed in the middle of the spine, between the back of the vertebrae. This is an interlaminar injection. Epidural injections can also be performed at the exit point where the nerves leave the spine, the foramina. This is a foraminal injection.

How long will the procedure take?

Allow yourself an hour to be prepared for the procedure. The actual procedure will take about 15 to 30 minutes. After the procedure you will recover for 30 minutes to an hour before going home.

What is the recovery like?

You can generally return to your normal activities by the next day. You can shower the same day as the procedure.

What is a sacroiliac joint injection?

The joint where the pelvis and spine join is called the sacroiliac joint. A sacroiliac joint injection is used to alleviate pain arising from the joint. The sacroiliac joint is very superficial and can be easily felt in most people.

How is a sacroiliac joint injection performed?

To perform a sacroiliac joint block, the doctor places a small needle through the skin and into the joint, injecting medication. The injection includes a combination of a steroid and an anesthetic that reduce inflammation and pain.

How long will the procedure take?

Allow yourself an hour to be prepared for the procedure. The actual procedure will take about 15 to 30 minutes. After the procedure you will recover for 30 minutes to an hour before going home.

What is the recovery like?

You can generally return to your normal activities by the next day. You can shower the same day as the procedure.