Infusions in the waist

It is a medical operation performed on non-hospitalized patients and is essentially an injection of a mixture of drugs into the waist.

The drug can reduce swelling and inflammation of irritated spinal nerves. This procedure is performed to relieve back pain but also especially pain that radiates to the legs (sciatica).

The whole process takes only a few minutes.

During preparation, the patient lies on the bed with his head down. A pillow is placed under the abdomen, which causes the spine to bend in a way that opens up the spaces on the sides of the spine. These spaces are called foramens.

Then a local anesthetic is administered to numb the area and prevent the patient from feeling any more bites.

When the area is completely numb, the doctor carefully guides a needle – under X-ray (or ultrasound) guidance – right next to the irritated nerve root. Upon reaching its goal, a small amount of contrast agent is injected to outline the nerve and confirm the correct placement of the needle. Only then, the doctor injects a medicinal cocktail that “bathes” the roots of the irritated nerves.

This immediately relieves the patient’s pain. Some patients may need multiple injections before they feel the full benefit they can get from this particular treatment.

In most patients, simple local anesthesia is sufficient. In a small percentage, with particular sensitivity to bites or excessive phobia of needles, light “sedation” may also be necessary.

Depending on the response to the first infusion, your doctor may suggest that you repeat it. Generally, there is no point in perpetually repeating epidural infusions if a problem persists. In this case, its definitive (surgical) treatment is usually suggested. In case this is not possible due to poor health, up to 3 injections per year can be repeated.

It is a condition in which severe wear and tear (arthritis and inflammation) of the small joints at the back of the spine occurs.

Normally, these joints have two cartilage-lined surfaces and are surrounded by a lubrication capsule that allows the vertebrae to bend and twist.

The syndrome occurs when these joints wear out, become inflamed and eventually develop severe osteophytic arthritis. Then back pain appears, which worsens with movements, is more intense in the morning and makes it difficult to get up from a sitting position.

The syndrome is initially treated conservatively with rest, warm patches, anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy.

In cases where the pain does not respond to conservative means, injections into the joints are recommended not only to confirm the diagnosis, but also to treat it.

During preparation, the patient lies on the bed with his head down. A pillow is placed under the abdomen, which causes the spine to flex in a way that opens the facet joints.

Then a local anesthetic is administered to numb the area and prevent the patient from feeling any more bites.

When the area is completely numb, the doctor carefully guides a needle – under X-ray (or ultrasound) guidance – right inside the joint. Upon reaching its goal, a small amount of contrast agent can be injected to outline the joint and confirm the correct placement of the needle. Then, the doctor injects a medicinal cocktail that acts for a long time on the joint by soothing inflammation.

The local anesthetic immediately relieves the patient’s pain. The maximum benefit from its action occurs 5-15 days after injection.

In most patients, simple local anesthesia is sufficient. In a small percentage, with particular sensitivity to bites or excessive phobia of needles, light “sedation” may also be necessary.

Depending on the response to the first infusion, your doctor may suggest that you repeat it. Some patients may need multiple injections before they feel the full benefit they can get from this particular treatment. Up to 3 injections per year are allowed. Alternatively, joint root canalization can be performed for longer-lasting results.