Back problems can be distressing and debilitating, restricting your ability to move freely, work, and live a full and active life. If back pain is affecting your wellbeing, The London Clinic can help. We provide specialist treatment by world-leading spinal consultants in a comfortable and stress-free environment.
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Back pain injections
Also known as: spinal and brain services, pain management
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What is it for?
 A treatment programme, to treat back problems
Back pain injections consultation at The London Clinic
Back pain injections are targeted back pain treatments. Under x-ray guidance, the specialist injects local anaesthetic and steroid medication into specific points in the back to reduce pain and treat inflammation.
The London Clinic offers a range of highly-specialised injection treatments to address different types of back pain: Epidural Injections
Epidurals can treat back pain that spreads from the spine into an arm or leg. The consultant injects into the epidural space, which is the outermost part of the spinal canal. It can reduce back pain, control swelling, and ease nerve irritation.
Facet joint injections:
These are injections into the small joints between each of the spinal bones. They can treat pain caused by osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and injuries.
Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections:
Injections into the joint between the lower back and the pelvis can help treat pain from the SI joint, which tends to be one-sided and affects the lower back, buttocks, and legs.
Treatment overview
The London Clinic has an experienced multi-disciplinary team of:
- neurologists
- spinal consultants
- radiologists
- physiotherapists
They specialise in the investigation and treatment of back pain.
At your first consultation, the specialist will take a detailed medical history and examine your back to understand your symptoms and the effect they are having on your life.
Your orthopaedic consultant may then arrange tests to diagnose your back or neck problem before tailoring a treatment plan for your needs.
Our a state-of-the-art imaging suite offering a range of diagnostic tests, including the latest MRI scanners, myelography, discography, x-rays, and CT scanning.
Back pain injection facts
The spinal specialists at The London Clinic give back pain injections as a day case procedure, so you will not need to stay in the hospital overnight. It is performed under local anaesthetic. However, we also offer sedation to help you relax and reduce any anxiety.
The consultant uses x-ray guidance to precisely inject the medication. This ensures your safety and increases the effectiveness of the treatment. You will lie on your tummy or on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest.
The specialist will clean your back and numb the skin with a local anaesthetic. The consultant will then insert a fine hollow needle into your back. The location will depend on your back problem, and the spinal injection required.
They will inject a small amount of dye through the needle. This will show up on the x-ray to confirm the correct placement of the cannula. When the tube is in position, the consultant will inject the medication.
Usually, this is a combination of a steroid to reduce inflammation and local anaesthetic to numb the area and decrease pain. They will apply a plaster to the area, and then the hospital staff will support and monitor you as you recover.
Back pain injections are generally safe, and the expert team at The London Clinic works hard to minimise any risks. Your consultant will take time to explain the pros and cons of the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
Recovery from back pain injections
Following the procedure, The London Clinic team will monitor your recovery. You will be able to go home when you are up, mobile and have passed urine. However, a friend or family member should escort you home.
You should stay off work and take it easy for 24 hours. The anaesthetic will numb your back for the first day. After this, the pain may increase before the steroids start to take effect. The team will give you painkillers to keep you comfortable during this time.
An injection can reduce back, leg, and arm pain for up to three months. However, they’re usually a crucial part of a holistic treatment programme. The injection reduces symptoms so that physiotherapy is more effective.
The specialist physiotherapists will give you exercises to improve your strength, spinal mobility, and stability. It is usually safe to start exercises a week after your injection. If you have any problems or concerns, The London Clinic team is always available for support and guidance.
Consultants
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.