August 11, 2023 -

From The Doctor | How is the transforaminal steroid injection procedure performed, and what can patients expect during and after the injection?

Back, neck, and leg pain are frequently treated with transforaminal steroid injections. A combination of local anesthetic and steroid medicine is injected into the space around a nerve root to provide pain relief. This essay will discuss the transforaminal steroid injection technique and its aftereffects for the patient.

Procedures involving transforaminal steroid injections are often performed at an outpatient medical facility like a clinic or ambulatory surgical center. Patients are requested to lay on their bellies on an X-ray table while their injection sites are prepared. The doctor then utilizes fluoroscopy or a piece of X-ray equipment to help him, or her insert a small needle between the skin and muscles of the patient’s back and directly into the affected nerve root.

As soon as the needle is in place, a tiny quantity of contrast dye is injected to ensure that the drug will be given to the right site. After the exact position of the nerve root has been determined, a local anesthetic and steroid drug combination is administered gently into the region surrounding the nerve root. The injection itself just takes a few minutes, and afterward, patients are merely observed for a brief time to rule out any potential consequences.

Due to the requirement for the needle to be guided through the skin and muscles of the back, patients may feel some discomfort throughout the treatment. Nonetheless, local anesthetics are commonly used to numb the injection site. Mild adverse effects, such as skin flushing, headaches, and transient numbness or paralysis in the afflicted region, have been reported by a small percentage of individuals.

Patients can be required to wait a little while to relax after their procedures before being released. Due to the possibility that the patient’s driving abilities would be impaired by the medicine, a so-called “designated driver” should be arranged to transport them home. After receiving an injection, patients should rest for a few days and may be requested to keep a pain diary to document their experiences.

In conclusion, transforaminal steroid injection is a reliable method for relieving pain in the lower back, neck, and limbs. Injecting the drug directly into the nerve root allows for more precise and effective pain alleviation. Most patients use a local anesthetic to alleviate the discomfort they may experience during the operation. Patients should take it easy for a few days after the injection and not push themselves too hard. All in all, it’s a non-invasive therapy that has the potential to significantly reduce persistent discomfort.

June 16, 2023 -

From The Doctor | What are the common misconceptions about fibromyalgia, and how can they be addressed?

Many individuals throughout the world suffer with fibromyalgia, a painful ailment that has no known cure. Considering how common fibromyalgia is, many people still have the wrong idea about the condition, which can hinder their access to treatment and support. Here, we’ll look at some of the most widespread misperceptions regarding fibromyalgia and how to dispel them.

This idea that fibromyalgia is not a real ailment is one of the most common myths surrounding the condition. There are many who dismiss fibromyalgia as nothing more than a fabrication of the patient’s imagination or a convenient label for any kind of mysterious discomfort. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a legitimate medical ailment that has been carefully investigated by scientists and doctors. Pain, exhaustion, and other systemic manifestations are hallmarks of this condition, which can have a devastating effect on an individual’s standard of living.

Fibromyalgia is commonly thought to be only another type of arthritis. Fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis, although it can induce arthritis-like symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness. Pain signals in the brain may be misinterpreted in those with fibromyalgia, a condition of the central nervous system. This can lead to increased sensitivity to pain and other sensations.

Third, people often assume that only women are affected by fibromyalgia. Although women are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia than men, anybody of any age can be affected by the condition. In fact, studies have shown that men may not get the proper diagnosis for fibromyalgia because of the common belief that it only affects women.

Last but not least, there is a false belief that fibromyalgia is untreatable and that those who suffer from it must learn to live with their symptoms. Although fibromyalgia currently has no known cure, several effective treatments are available to help manage symptoms and enhance the quality of life. Medication, physiotherapy, counseling, and lifestyle adjustments, including exercise and stress management, are all viable options.

Awareness of fibromyalgia and its effects on people’s daily lives must be raised to dispel these myths. Media coverage, public forums, and awareness initiatives can all help with this. Early diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia may greatly improve patient outcomes; therefore, it’s crucial that doctors understand the condition and take their patients’ complaints seriously.

In conclusion, many people with fibromyalgia do not get the help they need because of common misunderstandings regarding the condition. Education and awareness campaigns aimed at dispelling these myths would go a long way toward easing the suffering of individuals who live with fibromyalgia and reducing the condition’s negative social connotations.