Sciatica is the pain that develops when the sciatic nerve is pinched or inflamed. While the problem originates in your lower back, sciatica is well-known for causing pain that shoots down one leg.
The leg pain of sciatica is challenging because it occurs suddenly, is excruciating, and often debilitating.
Our experienced Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care team in Hobart, LaPorte, Munster, Valparaiso, and Merrillville, Indiana, has helped many people overcome sciatica and return to a thriving daily life. As we create your customized care plan, we may recommend joint injections. In this blog, you’ll learn about these injections and what to expect.
You may have heard of epidural steroid injections because they’re commonly used for sciatica. However, this type of injection sends the medications into the space along the spinal cord, not into a joint.
There are two types of joint injections we may recommend to ease your sciatica pain:
The facet joints connect vertebrae, allowing them to bend and twist while preventing excessive movement. In your lower back, these joints withstand an incredible amount of pressure.
As a result, the facet joints are susceptible to degenerative wear and tear and osteoarthritis. Facet joints suffer cartilage damage, the loss of lubricating fluid, and inflammation, changes that can irritate or pinch the sciatic nerve.
When problems in the facet joint cause your sciatica, we may recommend an injection containing a local anesthetic and steroids.
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the sacrum (a bone at the base of the spine) to the right and left hip bones. These joints differ from others because they’re designed to limit movement and create stability (rather than cause movement).
The SI joints are near the sciatic nerves. If the joint ligaments weaken, or inflammation or osteoarthritis develops, the SI joint can irritate the nerve and cause sciatica-like symptoms.
SI joint dysfunction typically causes lower back pain (like sciatica). And SI joint problems may worsen sciatica caused by a lower back problem.
If we determine the SI joint is involved in your sciatica, an injection may help ease your symptoms.
Here’s a rundown of what to expect before, during, and after a joint injection:
We will give you instructions about how to prepare that are specific to your needs, but here are a few general guidelines:
Otherwise, there’s little you need to do to prepare for a facet or SI joint injection.
We use a local anesthetic to numb the area and prevent discomfort during the injection. We also offer IV sedation to help reduce anxiety and relieve pain during the procedure.
After cleaning the area around the injection site, we insert a thin needle, using real-time X-ray imaging to guide it into the targeted joint.
After the needle is in place, we inject a dye to see where it flows and verify that the medications will reach the area. Then, we inject the anesthetic and steroids and remove the needle.
Joint injections take about 15-30 minutes, then you’re observed in the office for 60 minutes before going home.
The anesthetic works quickly to relieve your pain, but the effect is only temporary. As it wears off, your pain returns until the steroids have enough time to reduce nerve inflammation.
While it typically takes several days for the inflammation to improve, the effect of the steroids is longer-lasting. Each person has a different response, but many experience pain relief for 3-6 months.
Most patients return to work the next day. You should avoid strenuous exercise, bathtubs, swimming, and hot tubs for 24 hours. As your pain improves, we also recommend increasing your activities gradually.
Our team at Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care specializes in numerous treatments that effectively relieve sciatica. Schedule an appointment today by calling 219-476-7246 or booking online.
