Injuries in the back and spine are common in auto accidents, but accident victims often don’t realize just how debilitating chronic back pain can be. When traditional diagnostic techniques such as MRIs are unable to identify the exact point of injury or source of pain, injection therapy may be used to both identify the source and provide pain relief.
Selected nerve root blocks (SNRBs) are injections into nerves in the neck through a small gap where two vertebrae meet, called the “foramen,” and SNRBs can identify the source of pain as well as alleviate it. Typically, two medications are used, either separately or simultaneously. The first is an anti-inflammatory steroid, such as cortisone, which can reduce painful swelling; the second is a numbing agent, typically lidocaine, which also reduces pain. Based on the extent of pain relief, doctors can identify the exact nerve roots which have been damaged, though success can vary depending on the patient.
Facet joints provide flexibility in the back and allow you to bend and twist, and facet joint blocks are very similar to selected nerve root blocks. They are also administered to identify the source of pain and reduce inflammation, and typically the same steroids and/or numbing agents are injected into a particular facet joint capsule. If you have suffered any back injury in an accident, it is imperative to seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible to identify any potential sources of pain or nerve damage and receive the appropriate treatment, and this will also help your personal injury claim and pursuit of compensation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury due to negligence, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
