Pain Management Procedures

Injections for Pain

Targeted Relief for Back, Neck, and Nerve Pain

When spine-related pain keeps you from enjoying life, injections can provide significant relief without major surgery. Injections for pain deliver anti-inflammatory medication or numbing agents directly to the source of pain—whether it’s a nerve, joint, or irritated disc. At Desert Spine and Pain, neurosurgeon Dr. David L. Greenwald, M.D., FAANS, FACS offers advanced pain injections under live X-ray guidance, ensuring precise delivery for maximum effectiveness and safety.

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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.

What Are Pain Injections?

  • In simple terms: Injections place medication exactly where it’s needed to reduce pain and inflammation.

  • Scientifically: Interventional spine injections include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, nerve root blocks, and sacroiliac joint injections performed under fluoroscopy or ultrasound. They modulate inflammatory cytokines, reduce edema, and block nociceptive signaling.

Conditions That Cause Pain (and we treat)

Herniated discs

Spinal stenosis

Radiculopathy

Facet joint arthritis

Sacroiliac joint pain

Post-surgical pain

Types of Pain Management Procedures

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)

  • Steroid delivered to epidural space around spinal nerves.

  • Reduces swelling, improves sciatica and radiculopathy.

Facet Joint Injections

  • Medication injected into arthritic facet joints.

  • Provides both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits.

Nerve Root Blocks (Selective Nerve Blocks)

  • Numbs and reduces inflammation around a specific nerve root.

  • Useful to confirm diagnosis and relieve pain.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injections

  • Medication injected into SI joint to relieve low back/buttock pain.

Trigger Point Injections

  • Local anesthetic or steroid injected into tight, painful muscle knots.

The Injection Process: Step by Step

Plain-English Overview

  • Preparation: Done in an outpatient setting with light sedation or local anesthesia.

  • Imaging: Fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or ultrasound guides placement.

  • Injection: Medication (steroid, anesthetic, or both) delivered to a precise target.

  • Observation: Short recovery period; most go home same day.

Surgeon-Level Detail

  • Positioning: Patient prone or supine depending on target.

  • Needle placement: Guided under fluoroscopy; contrast dye confirms location.

  • Medication delivery: Steroid + anesthetic injected in controlled dose.

  • Monitoring: Post-procedure vitals checked; patient discharged after short observation.

Benefits of Pain Injections

  • Outpatient, minimally invasive

  • Precise targeting under imaging guidance

  • Quick relief of pain and inflammation

  • May delay or avoid major surgery

  • Helps confirm diagnosis by identifying pain source

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Risks & Limitations

  • Temporary soreness at injection site

  • Infection, bleeding, nerve irritation (rare)

  • Relief may be temporary; some patients need repeat injections

  • Not a cure for structural problems—best for symptom relief

Recovery Timeline

  • Day 0: Outpatient procedure; mild soreness possible

  • Day 1–3: Pain relief begins as steroid reduces inflammation

  • Weeks 1–2: Most patients notice significant improvement

  • Months: Duration of relief varies; repeat injections possible if pain returns

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Why Choose Desert Spine and Pain?

  • Expert neurosurgeon: Dr. Greenwald ensures injections are precise and safe

  • Advanced imaging: Fluoroscopy and ultrasound guide every procedure

  • Comprehensive care: Injections offered alongside PT, medications, and surgery when needed

  • Patient-centered approach: We explain each step, easing fears about interventional pain care

Dr. David L. Greenwald, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine

Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon renowned for his expertise in spine surgery, offering both traditional and minimally invasive procedures to treat a wide range of spinal conditions. Whether addressing herniated discs, spinal stenosis, fractures, deformities, or degenerative diseases, Dr. Greenwald combines surgical precision with the latest technology to achieve optimal outcomes. His approach emphasizes preserving mobility, minimizing tissue disruption, and promoting faster recovery. With decades of experience and a strong reputation for compassionate care, Dr. Greenwald has helped countless patients throughout South Florida find lasting relief and return to active, pain-free lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do pain injections last?

Relief can last weeks to months. Some patients require repeat injections.

Are pain injections safe?

Yes. Risks are rare, especially when performed with imaging guidance.

How soon will I feel relieved?

Some patients notice improvement within days, though full effect may take 1–2 weeks.

Do injections fix the problem?

It’s a procedure that replaces a damaged disc with an artificial one to preserve motion, often used in the neck.

How does Desert Spine and Pain perform injections differently?

We combine neurosurgical expertise with advanced imaging to ensure injections are safe, accurate, and effective.

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