To reduce your reliance on pain medications, experienced pain medicine specialist Thomas Synek, MD, offers spinal injections. Dr. Synek specializes in several injection therapies, including nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, and facet injections to treat chronic pain and restore full function of your body. This minimally invasive treatment can reduce the need for surgery and keep you pain-free in the long term. To schedule a diagnostic evaluation so you can find out if you’re a candidate for spinal injections, call the Spring, Texas, pain management office, or book a consultation online today.

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What are spinal injections?

Spinal injections are a minimally invasive treatment option for painful spinal conditions like osteoarthritis, herniated discs, and spine injuries.

Dr. Synek has extensive experience in performing a variety of spinal injection procedures, including:

  • Nerve blocks
  • Facet injections
  • Trigger point injections 
  • Epidural steroid injections
  • Radiofrequency thermocoagulation

He also offers trials for spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pain pumps to relieve chronic pain in your spine, lower back, and neck.

Am I a candidate for spinal injections?

You may be a candidate for spinal injections if oral medications aren’t providing enough pain relief. Spinal injections deliver anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications directly into the epidural space or joints of your spine to ensure you receive their full benefit.

Dr. Synek offers on-site diagnostic imaging tests to accurately identify the cause of your spine pain. He also performs a comprehensive physical exam to test your spine’s flexibility and range of motion.

He may first recommend conservative therapies like medications, physical therapy, or aquatic therapy before suggesting spinal injections to help you find long-term pain relief.

What can I expect during spinal injections?

Spinal injections are typically same-day procedures Dr. Synek performs in-office or at First Surgical in The Woodlands, Texas. To ensure he places the injection in the right location within your spine, Dr. Synek uses fluoroscopy, a live X-ray, or ultrasound technology to guide the needle into position.

You can expect to lie on an exam table while the staff positions the equipment around you. To keep you comfortable during your spinal injection, Dr. Synek can apply a topical anesthetic or use a local anesthetic to numb the area before inserting the needle.

After your injection is complete, you may experience some relief from your pain. However, it can take several weeks to see the maximum benefit of this type of therapy. Many people enjoy months of pain relief before they need another injection. Dr. Synek can discuss your options for additional injections during your follow-up visit if the treatment is working well for you.

If the injections aren’t effective, you may be a candidate for more invasive therapies like spinal cord stimulation or an intrathecal pain pump.

To learn more about the benefits of spinal injections, call the office of Thomas Synek, MD, to schedule an appointment, or book a consultation online today.