bilateral lumbar injections

  I have had osteoarthrisis in my back and neck for about 18 months. I have tried about everything including physical theraphy, exercise, pills (pain, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory) stretching, accupuncture, and blockers (cortisone/steriod) glucosomine, and traction. My pain is about the same as it was 18 months ago. Now I've been told that bilateral lumbar injections
  may be the answer. I would deeply appreciate your opinion and your experience with this procedure.
                                        
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Dear John,
Injections of steroids and local anesthetics can be very effective for people in your situation.  Presumably you have had a complete workup to rule out any surgically amenable pathology.  These injections are not definitive therapy though they can help relieve the pain for some time.  They can and are often repeated if necessary to provide a patient better pain control.  An anesthesiologist will often do the procedure.  
Ask the physician doing the injection about his or her experience with them.  They are quite safe and often very effective.
Good luck.