Cortisone Injections for Low Back Pain in South London
Low Back Pain cortisone injections at our clinic
We are a leading cortisone injection clinic offering steroid injections for certain type of low back pain. Steroid injections can bring significant relief from low back pain and bring you much-needed respite from your condition.
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We offer private injections at our South London clinic and also offer home visits in the South London area. A free telephone consultation is available to understand whether injections will be helpful and appropriate in your particular case, and to ensure your injection will be safe and give you maximum benefit.
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Booking is quick and easy, please see our book appointment page for more details.
What causes Low Back Pain?
Low back pain can have various causes, and it is a common condition that affects people of all ages. Some of the common causes of low back pain include:
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Disc pathologies affecting intervertebral discs (cushions between the vertebrae in the spine) such as natural aging process, often called Degenerative Disc Disease or herniated (bulging disc sometime called "slipped disc") occurring when the soft inner portion of the disc pushes through its outer layer, potentially irritating nearby nerves. causing pain numbness, or tingling in the lower back and legs such as in sciatica.
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Spinal Stenosis caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on spinal nerves.
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Osteoarthritis & degeneration of the facet joints in the spine can lead to inflammation and pain in the lower back.
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inflammatory arthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis that primarily affects the spine.
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Injuries such as fractures of the vertebras.
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Lifestyle Factors such as a lack of regular exercise, obesity or smoking can contribute to low back pain.
It's important to note that many cases of low back pain resolve on their own or with conservative treatments such as rest, exercises and over-the-counter pain medications. However, persistent or severe pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional for a comprehensive diagnosis and appropriate management.
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In order to ensure injection therapy is the right course of action in your particular case, we offer a free virtual consultation to get a quick picture of your health and the condition you are experiencing, and advise on whether steroid injections are a good course of action for you. At your appointment we will also carry out a full ultrasound-led diagnosis and assessment to ensure you are receiving the most appropriate treatment and best possible care.
What our patients say
How do cortisone injections help with low back pain?
In our clinic we offer injections for low back pain caused by osteoarthritis of the spinal joints (facet joints) sacroiliac joint or coccyx pathologies. Cortisone injections can rapidly reduce pain, bringing much-needed relief and increased mobility. If you have found your work or other daily activities involving prolonged sitting, standing, sleeping, being hindered by your low back pain, a steroid injection can allow you the freedom to get back to work and normal life.
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Pain is not to be underestimated and when it becomes bad it can become debilitating and lead to depression. Low back pain can also lead to inactivity which can cause further problems such as postural and health issues, leading to even further inactivity, known as the chronic pain cycle. It is crucial to seek help when you are in pain and not simply try to live with it, as when left unchecked pain can cause gradual deterioration of both mental and physical health.
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The break from pain and other symptoms brought by steroid injections will also allow you to take other actions to proactively combat your problem. In particular, you will be able to follow a physiotherapist-prescribed exercise programme to deal with your condition at the root by building flexibility and strength in your back region. It is important you do any exercises your physiotherapist gives you to avoid your problem worsening in the future and potentially leading to more problems further down the line.
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All our treatments include a written report and guidance on moving forward with treating your problem following your injection, so that you can use the opportunity the injection gives to set yourself on a path to better health. We also include a personalised physiotherapy exercise plan wherever appropriate.
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For more information about cortisone injections and frequently asked questions, see our cortisone injections page.
Can you diagnose the cause of low back pain with an ultrasound scan?
Ultrasound imaging itself is not appropriate to diagnose the cause of low back pain and in most cases, no investigation at all is required to make a diagnosis and start a treatment. We use ultrasound guidance to perform spinal injections safely and effectively.
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In all cases, a consultation with a medical professional is crucial in choosing the right course of treatment for your particular case.
Are cortisone injections a long-term solution for low back pain?
Corticosteroids have a short term effect (around 3 months) but a common belief is that cortisone injections do not address the underlying causes of your pain and will only stop the symptoms.
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First of all, your pain has a massive impact on your daily life and any relief, even temporary, can help significantly with your sleep, work or family activities, and as a result, improve your general well being and mental health. Fortunately, simple pathologies, even when causing severe pain, tend to improve overtime and by the time the steroid has stopped working, we expect that your body has healed by itself and the pain won't return.
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Secondly, the pain free period allowed by steroid injections (up to 3-6 months on average and sometime over 1 year) is a window that will be used to begin further treatment such as a prescribed exercise program or sessions of physiotherapy, in order to address other causative factors for your problems.
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In some cases steroid injections can also be a permanent solution by stopping chronic inflammation or disrupting your pain signal. More information about pain can be found on our blog.
At your virtual consultation and first appointment, your clinician will ask questions and assess you to diagnose your problem and explain to you the options available. This will help you to understand how you can use the respite from pain which a corticosteroid injection provides, to work directly on your problem and provide you with a personalized exercise plan to avoid reliance on injections in the future.
Your clinician
All our injection treatments are carried out by our experienced physiotherapist and injection clinician, Maxence Legout. Max has over 15 years experience and holds a senior position in the NHS, where he carries out over 2000 ultrasound-guided injection & procedures every year.
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For more information please see our clinician page, or book a free online or telephone consultation to speak to Max directly.
What other treatments are available for low back pain pain?
The treatment for low back pain depends on the underlying cause, the severity of the pain, and individual factors. In many cases, low back pain can be managed with conservative treatments. Here are some common approaches:
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Short term relative rest and activity modification may be recommended for acute low back pain, but prolonged bed rest is generally discouraged and gradual return to normal activities limiting activities that worsen the pain is often recommended.
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Physiotherapy can help improve flexibility, strength, and enhance overall spine stability. Therapeutic exercises, stretches, and manual therapy techniques may be prescribed also for their effect on pain modulation.
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Medications over-the-counter such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed for short courses in some cases. In certain situations, stronger prescription medications may be considered.
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Heat and cold applied on the affected area can help alleviate pain. Heat is often used for muscle spasms.
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Lifestyle Modifications such as avoiding prolonged sitting and using ergonomic furniture and tools can help prevent or alleviate low back pain. Maintaining a healthy weight, stop smoking and incorporating regular exercise into daily life also contribute to overall spine health.​
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Injections in different area of the spine such as epidural injections are sometimes used for more targeted pain relief.
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be helpful for managing chronic low back pain by addressing psychological factors and promoting positive coping strategies.
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Braces and Supports may be recommended for some conditions such as sacroiliac disorders.
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Surgery might be necessary where conservative treatments are not effective and there is a specific structural problem (such as a non-resolving nerve compression).
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If you are suffering from low back pain, a diagnosis from a medical professional is an essential first step in understanding your problem and deciding what is the right course of treatment for you.
MEDICAL REVIEW - The medical information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Maxence Legout, MSc, Physiotherapist.