Therapeutic spinal injections are highly specialized and effective forms of therapy in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the spine. These are minimally invasive “single-shot”-techniques, in the form of epidural injections, nerve root blocks, facet joint infiltrations and sacroiliac joint infiltrations.
It is possible to treat the primary disorder by injecting fluids with anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edemic properties directly into the area that is the source of pain in the spine. This avoids loading the entire body with more medication than necessary.
The spinal injections can be performed without the aid of imaging techniques, as they can be effectively guided by the palpation of anatomical landmarks. These techniques require no expensive equipment and low administrative and time effort. Furthermore, exposure of the patient to ionizing radiation is avoided. Of course, a sufficient experience and the regular practice of these procedures is necessary.
The present article gives an overview on the important topographic anatomical landmarks and presents practically orientated tips and tricks for an efficient and safe performance of spinal injections without the aid of an imaging modality.
Dr. Constantinos Georgallas is a contributor to the article: Landmarkengestützte Injektionen an der Wirbelsäule – Spinal injection techniques supported by anatomical landmarks.
The journal “Orthopädische und Unfallchirurgische Praxis (OUP)“ is regularly listed in CCMED / LIVIVO.
References
- Theodoridis T., Randel U., Georgallas C.: Landmarkengestützte Injektionstechniken an der Wirbelsäule. Orthopädische und Unfallchirurgische Praxis 2019; 8: 528-539.
- Theodoridis T., Kraemer J.: Injektionstherapie an der Wirbelsäule. Manual und Atlas. 3. Auflage. Thieme 2017.
- Kraemer J., Hasenbring M., Kraemer R., Taub E., Theodoridis T., Wilke H.J.: Intervertebral Disc Diseases: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prophylaxis. Thieme 2009.
