According to a new study that was published
recently in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, a common steroid injection
that is used in the treatment of back pain can actually increase the risk of spinal fractures.
The study, which was published recently
specially focused on one type of treatment for back pain. This treatment involves the use of
lumbar epidural steroid injections, and the researches focused on the effect of
this therapy on bone fragility and the risk of spinal vertebral fractures. The researchers found that persons who
received a higher number of these injections definitely had a higher risk of a
vertebral fracture. In fact, according to the researchers, over a period of
time, continuous administration of lumbar epidural steroid injections may lead
to severe deterioration of bone density, and increase in bone fragility.
That doesn't mean that these injections have
no value at all. They have been
found to be useful in at least some cases, but the researchers advise that
doctors should cautiously approach the administration of these injections,
especially in those patients who may already be at a much higher risk of
fractures due to osteoporosis and other causes.
As a person ages, bone mineral density may
deteriorate, placing him at risk of a condition called osteoporosis. Persons who suffer from this condition
may be at a much higher risk of suffering from fractures. For instance, older women may be at a
much higher risk for vertebral fractures.
Persons who have suffered an earlier fracture, smokers and those who are
underweight, may also be at a higher risk of fractures. Although these lumbar epidural steroid
injections may, under the right kind of circumstances and in the right patient,
provide relief for symptoms of back pain, excessive use or use that is
inappropriate could actually increase the risk of a
spinal fracture.
No comments:
Post a Comment