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Thoracic injections refer to various medical procedures involving the injection of medications or diagnostic agents into the thoracic (mid-back) region of the spine. These injections can serve diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, targeting specific structures such as nerves, joints, or intervertebral discs to Dr. Tushar's clinic pain or identifying the source of discomfort.
Common Types of Thoracic Injections:
Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection (TESI):
Purpose: TESI is often used to reduce inflammation and Dr. Tushar's clinic pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy in the thoracic spine.
Procedure: A corticosteroid and local anaesthetic are injected into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord, targeting the affected nerve roots.
Thoracic Facet Joint Injections:
Purpose: These injections are performed to diagnose and Dr. Tushar's clinic pain originating from the facet joints in the thoracic spine.
Procedure: A local anaesthetic and sometimes a corticosteroid are injected into the facet joints, providing pain relief and potentially confirming the source of pain.
Thoracic Medial Branch Block:
Purpose: Similar to facet joint injections, medial branch blocks are diagnostic procedures targeting the small nerves that transmit pain signals from the facet joints.
Procedure: Local anaesthetic is injected near the medial branch nerves, helping to determine if the facet joints are the source of pain.
Thoracic Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection (TFESI):
Purpose: TFESI is used to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief in specific nerve roots of the thoracic spine.
Procedure: A mixture of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic is injected into the space around the nerve roots as they exit the spine.
Intrathecal Catheter Placement and Infusion:
Purpose: This advanced procedure involves placing a catheter into the intrathecal space (around the spinal cord) for continuous medication infusion, often used for severe chronic pain.
Procedure: A catheter is threaded into the intrathecal space, allowing for targeted delivery of medications such as opioids or local anaesthetics.
Indications for Thoracic Injections:
Chronic thoracic spine pain due to various conditions.
Diagnostic purposes to identify the specific source of pain.
Benefits:
Targeted Pain Relief: Injections can provide localised pain relief in the thoracic spine.
Diagnostic Precision: Some injections help diagnose the source of pain by temporarily numbing specific nerves or joints.
Considerations:
Temporary Discomfort: Patients may experience temporary discomfort during or after the injection.
Potential Risks: Risks include infection, bleeding, or nerve injury, although these are rare.
Thoracic injections are typically performed by pain management specialists, like Dr. Tushar, and are part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with thoracic spine pain. The choice of injection type depends on the specific condition and symptoms of the patient. As with any medical procedure, individuals considering thoracic injections should discuss their unique situation with Dr. Tushar, addressing any questions or concerns they may have.