If you’ve ever suffered from chronic back pain, you know that it can be a debilitating condition. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic back pain is now the number one cause of disability in America. What’s even more frustrating is that there isn’t always an easy solution—even if treatments like surgery or injections work to some degree. Luckily, recent studies have shown that steroid injections may beeffective for treating Herniated Disc Syndrome (HDS). What is HDS, you ask? HDS is a condition in which the soft disc between the vertebrae becomes inflamed and herniates. This can cause intense pain and often leads to sciatica, or nerve pain down the leg. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether steroid injections could help improve your situation.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is a condition in which the cartilage that makes up the discs between your vertebrae (bones) becomes damaged. This can cause pressure on nearby nerves and spinal cord, leading to pain and limited range of motion. A herniated disc can also lead to a bulging or protrusion out of the spine, called a herniated disc prolapse.
There is currently no cure for herniated discs, but treatments can help relieve symptoms and improve function. Treatment options include surgery, physiotherapy, herbal supplements, and steroid injections. Surgery may involve removing the herniated disc and repairing the surrounding tissue. Physiotherapy may help improve range of motion and reduce pain. Herbal supplements such as glucosamine may help to repair damaged cartilage. Steroid injections into the herniated disc can help to reduce inflammation and improve healing.
How Do Steroid Injections Help?
Steroids are medications that are used to treat a variety of conditions. One use for steroids is to help treat a herniated disc. Steroids can help reduce inflammation and pain in the area around the herniated disc. This may allow the disc to return to its normal position more quickly, which can improve your overall health.
Side Effects of Steroid Injections
steroid injections can help reduce pain, inflammation, and spasms in the herniated disc. Steroid injections are also effective in treating chronic pain. However, steroid injections may have side effects including muscle weakness, acne, and decreased fertility.
What to Do if You Experience Pain from a Herniated Disc
If you have a herniated disc, there are a few things you can do to try and ease the pain. First, it is important to keep the area moist. You can do this by applying an ice pack or using a humidifier. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If these measures don’t help, you may need to see a doctor. A doctor may prescribe narcotics or steroid injections to reduce the inflammation and pain.