Re: steroid injections for chronic neck/shoulder pain

Posted By CCF NSG MD /gsh on September 24, 1998 at 09:00:37:

In Reply to: steroid injections for chronic neck/shoulder pain posted by Kim on September 23, 1998 at 21:49:54:






About two years ago I developed neck/shoulder pain. So bad I couldn't raise my left arm above my waist. I had, had this before but not to that exstent. I saw an orthopedic surgeon. Who gave me vicadin,soma and a NSAID. after two weeks with little relief he gave me a cortioco steroid injection. Until that point I had not missed any work. With in minutes of that injection I was in pain so bad I was in tears. I heard the other day that if the pain is a muscluar pain the steroids help but if pain is nerve related the injection will make it much worse. Is there any truth to this? My doctor just said it was a reaction to the carrier of the steroid. I'm in pain again and being treated with Esgic-plus. Which was perscribed by the nuero surgeon I was revered to when the ortho thought I had two reptured disks. That was ruled out so why am I still going through SO MUCH pain? It is getting more and more frequent.






Dear Kim,
Remember that there are many reasons that a patient may have neck or back pain.
Approximately 90% of patients with these complaints will be best managed with
conservative therapy.  This would include rest, physical therapy, pain medication,
injections of analgesics or steroid and traction to name a few.  They may be
used in any combination that works best for a patient.  Before conservative
therapy is recommended by a physician, the patient should have a complete exam
and possibly imaging studies to be sure there are no surgical issues.  It sounds
like you have had this already.
Steroid injections commonly will improve pain from either nerve compression
or muscle origin.  They act to inhibit the local swelling that can occur with
either condition.  
If you are still experiencing pain your physician may consider some physical
therapy and possibly a consult to a pain specialist.  These things can often
improve pain to a significant degree.
Good luck.