Spinal Steroid Injections for Pain

When a person has severe back pain, often one of the best ways to get relief is by getting an epidural injection of steroids. These steroid injections have been associated with meningitis this year, but now another study has found a different kind of risk, that is for increased rates of spinal fractures.

Most people who have spinal fractures are unaware of their fracture, because they typically are painless and lead to loss of height. However for women over 50 who are at higher risk of any bone fracture, any more risk could lead to significant loss of height, hunching over with a "widow's hump" and spinal pain from fractures.

Clearly, people with severe back pain need relief, but they also need to understand the long-term risks.

What to Do Instead:

• One of the best things to do for back pain is to work on core-strengthening exercises.
• Avoid bending at the waist while lifting heavy objects
• Try to sit up straight while working at the compute, and
• Use a rolled up towel or small pillow in the small of the back for lumbar support.

 

Comments

[Mike Cornelia]

I have horrible back pain, but never heard of this. I have been in and out of chiropractors offices and have gone to a number of rehab facilities. I am going to research this. Thank you for sharing!