Why have a spinal injection?
Spinal injections are performed as a treatment, to reduce pain and inflammation within the spine, as a well as a diagnostic tool to confirm a suspected cause of the symptoms, thus allowing appropriate planning of further treatment. Spinal Injections
Nerve Root Sleeve Injections (NRSI)
NRSI means an injection around a nerve root and is used both therapeutically and diagnostically. They may also be called Nerve Root Blocks.
Therapeutically, to relieve leg or arm pain which is produced by pressure on a nerve root, usually caused by a disc prolapse, but may be due to bone compressing the nerve or other rare causes.
Diagnostically to help determine which area within the spine is the cause of the problem. This can be extremely useful when surgery is being planned.
How is a Cervical Nerve Root Sleeve Injection Performed?
The patient lies on their back on the operating table with their head on a head ring. Local anaesthetic is injected in to the side of the neck, which corresponds to the arm pain. The IT is then used to guide a special needle into position around the affected nerve root. Once the needle appears to be in a satisfactory position a dye is injected to confirm the correct position and then the local anaesthetic and steroid is injected around the nerve root.
How is a Lumbar Nerve Root Sleeve Injection Performed?
The patient lies on their front on the operating table. Local anaesthetic is injected in to the lower back on the side, which corresponds to the leg pain. The skin is infiltrated with local anaesthetic and then IT is then used to guide a special needle into position around the affected nerve root. Once the needle appears to be in a satisfactory position a dye is injected to confirm the correct position and then the local anaesthetic and steroid is injected around the nerve root.
Post Procedure Recovery
Immediately following the procedure, patients spend approximately 30minutes within he recovery area of theatres where they are monitored. Following this, they are able to be discharged home.
- Patients will be unable to drive home and should not drive the following day.
- Patients are able to mobilize as comfortable but should take the following day off work.
- Patients should only experience minor pain following the procedure.
- Physiotherapy should be commenced following the procedure.
Complications
Complications are very rare, but as the needle is near the nerves, spinal cord and arteries complications include infection bleeding, nerve damage, paralysis and leakage of the Cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the nerves. (See Complications section).
