Back and neck pain are among the most common reasons people seek orthopedic care—and for good reason. Your spine supports your body, enables movement, and protects your central nervous system, allowing you to work, play, and perform everyday activities, from bending and lifting to sitting comfortably.
Whether it’s a persistent dull ache or sharp pain that radiates into your arms or legs, back or neck pain can make even routine movements difficult. Walking, driving, or just getting out of bed in the morning can become a challenge.
The team at Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, including orthopedic surgeon Dr. Philip Zakko and pain management specialist Dr. R. Andrew Lehn, takes a patient-centered approach to finding the most effective, least invasive path to relief. For many people with back and neck pain, rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications provide pain relief. But when conservative treatments haven’t helped, spinal injections may be an appropriate next step.
If you’ve been struggling with ongoing neck or back issues, here’s what you should know about spinal injections, including the benefits, potential risks, and what to expect during and after the procedure.
What Are Spinal Injections?
A spinal injection is a minimally invasive procedure used for both diagnosing and treating back and neck pain. Injections typically contain a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation around irritated nerves or joints. Because the medication is delivered precisely to the affected area, injections can help pinpoint the source of pain and provide more targeted and effective relief than oral medications.
What Conditions Can Spinal Injections Treat?
Spinal injections aren’t the right solution for everyone, but for many, they offer a safe and effective way to alleviate pain caused by:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Sciatica or radiating leg pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint arthritis
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)
Benefits of Spinal Injections
While spinal injections aren’t a cure for back and neck conditions, they can provide meaningful relief without the downtime of surgery. Potential benefits include:
- Diagnostic value when the pain source is unclear
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Improved mobility and function
- Greater ability to participate in physical therapy
- Reduced reliance on pain medications
- Delaying or avoiding surgery when appropriate
Risks & Side Effects of Spinal Injections
Spinal injections are widely used and generally safe, but like any procedure, they do carry some potential risks. These may include:
- Temporary soreness at the injection site
- Headache
- Short-term elevation in blood sugar
- Dizziness or flushing
- Temporary increase in pain
- Rare risk of infection or bleeding
What to Expect During and After Spinal Injections
Spinal injections are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home the same day. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and is guided by fluoroscopy or ultrasound imaging to ensure precise needle placement. Before the injection, a local anesthetic applied to minimize discomfort. Most patients report feeling only mild pressure during the procedure itself.
Recovery after a spinal injection is usually quick. Many patients are able to return to light activity within 24 hours, although it’s important to follow your provider’s post-procedure instructions. Your provider may also recommend physical therapy to help extend the benefits of the injection.
When to Seek Treatment for Back and Neck Pain
If you have persistent back or neck pain that has not improved with rest, medication, or other conservative care, it may be time to see a specialist. Spinal injections aren’t the right solution for every patient, but for many, they offer a safe and effective way to alleviate pain and improve function.
At Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan based on your symptoms, diagnosis, activity level, and goals. With locations in Portsmouth, NH, Dover, NH and York, ME., our back, spine, and neck care specialists have helped hundreds of patients throughout the Seacoast community reduce pain and regain mobility and freedom. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward relief.
