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Oasis now offers Virtual Consultations for your initial evaluation.
Oasis now offers Virtual Consultations for your initial evaluation.
Get fast-acting pain and inflammation relief with medicinal Steroid injections.
Chronic pain affecting your spine or joints can diminish your quality of life and prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed. Whether your discomfort stems from inflammation, arthritis, nerve compression, or degenerative conditions, finding effective relief becomes essential to regaining function. Steroid injections offer a targeted approach to reducing inflammation and managing pain when conservative treatments like physical therapy and oral medications have not provided adequate results. Understanding how these injections work and what they can accomplish helps you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
At Oasis Orthopedic & Spine, we specialize in precision-guided steroid injections that deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of your pain. Our experienced pain management specialists serve patients throughout Northern New Jersey from convenient locations in Glen Rock, Union, Clifton, and surrounding areas. We utilize advanced fluoroscopic imaging to ensure accurate needle placement and optimal medication delivery. With our comprehensive approach to pain management, we help patients find relief and return to active, fulfilling lives without relying solely on surgery or long-term oral medications.
If you’re exploring interventional pain management procedures, corticosteroid injections represent an effective treatment option for various orthopedic and spinal conditions.
Steroid injections contain corticosteroid medications combined with local anesthetic to address inflammation and pain at its source. These medications differ significantly from anabolic steroids used by athletes and instead work by reducing inflammatory responses in tissues surrounding nerves, joints, or other affected structures. The corticosteroid component provides longer-lasting pain relief by decreasing swelling and irritation, while the anesthetic component offers immediate but temporary relief. This combination allows you to experience both quick symptom reduction and sustained benefits lasting weeks to months.
Various conditions respond well to steroid injections, particularly those involving nerve irritation, joint inflammation, or soft tissue swelling. Research published by the National Institutes of Health demonstrates that epidural steroid injections effectively manage radicular pain from herniated discs and spinal stenosis, with studies showing significant short-term relief in 70% to 90% of patients. Conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, osteoarthritis joint pain, and bursitis and tendonitis frequently benefit from targeted steroid injections. The procedure helps break the cycle of inflammation and pain, allowing many patients to participate more effectively in physical therapy and rehabilitation programs.
We offer several types of steroid injections based on your specific condition and the location of your pain. Each technique targets particular anatomical structures and delivers medication where it will provide maximum benefit. Your physician determines the most appropriate injection type after careful evaluation of your symptoms, imaging studies, and previous treatment responses. Some patients require a series of injections to achieve optimal results, while others experience significant improvement after a single treatment.
Epidural steroid injections deliver medication into the epidural space surrounding your spinal cord and nerve roots. These injections effectively treat radiating pain caused by disc herniations, spinal stenosis, or nerve root compression. We perform epidural injections using three different approaches depending on your specific condition. Interlaminar injections access the epidural space between vertebral laminae, while transforaminal injections deliver medication directly to individual nerve roots through the foramen. Caudal epidural injections enter through the sacral opening and work well for lower lumbar and sacral nerve pain.
Joint injections target inflammation within specific joints affected by arthritis or other degenerative conditions. We commonly perform injections for shoulder pain, knee pain, hip pain, and smaller joints throughout the body. Bursa injections deliver medication into fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints and reduce friction between tissues. These injections effectively treat bursitis, which causes localized swelling and discomfort around affected joints. Both injection types provide direct anti-inflammatory action where inflammation occurs most severely.
Facet joint injections address pain originating from the small joints connecting vertebrae in your spine. Facet joint arthritis commonly develops with age and contributes significantly to chronic back and spine and neck pain. Nerve blocks deliver medication around specific nerves to interrupt pain signals and reduce inflammation affecting nerve tissue. These targeted approaches work particularly well for patients with localized pain patterns that match specific spinal levels or nerve distributions.
Before your injection, we conduct a thorough evaluation including review of imaging studies, physical examination, and discussion of your symptoms and treatment goals. You receive detailed instructions about medication adjustments, eating restrictions, and what to expect during the procedure. Most steroid injections occur in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia, though some patients receive mild sedation for comfort. The entire process typically requires 15 to 30 minutes from preparation through recovery.
During the procedure, you lie comfortably on a specialized table while we clean and sterilize the injection site. We use fluoroscopic x-ray guidance to visualize the exact location where medication should be delivered. This real-time imaging ensures precise needle placement and confirms proper medication spread. After numbing the skin with local anesthetic, we advance a thin needle to the target area and inject contrast dye to verify correct positioning. Once placement is confirmed, we inject the corticosteroid medication mixed with anesthetic into the affected area. You may feel brief pressure or discomfort during injection, but most patients tolerate the procedure well.
Steroid injections offer several advantages over other pain management approaches. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure means no incisions, minimal recovery time, and low complication rates. You can usually resume normal activities within a day or two, though strenuous exercise should be avoided initially. Many patients notice immediate pain relief from the anesthetic component, while the steroid medication provides progressive improvement over the following days to weeks. The anti-inflammatory effects typically peak within one to two weeks and may last several months.
The degree and duration of pain relief varies among individuals based on the underlying condition, severity of inflammation, and other factors. Some patients experience complete pain resolution, while others notice significant but partial improvement. Research indicates that steroid injections work particularly well for acute flares of chronic conditions or as a bridge to more definitive treatments. When combined with physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate exercises, injections often help patients achieve functional improvements that extend beyond the medication’s direct effects. The procedure may be repeated if symptoms return, though most physicians recommend limiting the frequency to avoid potential side effects from excessive steroid exposure.
After your injection, you’ll rest in our recovery area for approximately 15 to 30 minutes while we monitor for any immediate reactions. You should arrange for someone to drive you home, especially if you received sedation. Most patients experience mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two, which responds well to ice application and over-the-counter pain relievers. You may notice temporary numbness or weakness in the affected area as the local anesthetic wears off over several hours.
We provide specific instructions about activity restrictions and medication use following your injection. You should avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 to 48 hours while monitoring your response to treatment. Some patients experience a temporary increase in pain before improvement begins, as the medication takes effect and inflammation decreases. We schedule follow-up appointments to assess your response and determine whether additional treatments are needed. Keeping a pain diary helps us evaluate the injection’s effectiveness and guides decisions about your ongoing care plan.
Our integrated approach combines steroid injections with other treatment modalities to achieve optimal outcomes for every patient. We recognize that injections represent one component of comprehensive pain management rather than a standalone solution. When appropriate, we coordinate with physical therapists, chiropractors, and other specialists to address all aspects of your condition. Many patients benefit from combining injections with targeted exercises, ergonomic modifications, and lifestyle changes that reduce stress on affected areas.
Our dedicated team of board-certified physicians brings extensive experience in interventional pain management and orthopedic care. We utilize the latest techniques and technology to ensure safe, effective treatments tailored to your unique needs. With multiple locations serving Northern New Jersey, accessing expert pain management has never been more convenient. Don’t let chronic pain continue limiting your quality of life. Request an appointment with Oasis Orthopedic & Spine today to learn how steroid injections and our comprehensive treatment approach can help you find lasting relief and restore your active lifestyle.
