How do physicians know if a spinal epidural corticosteroid injection is right for a particular patient?
Dr. Kamhi: Now, the single most important factor that influences the success of an epidural corticosteroid injection in treating a painful spinal condition is the accuracy of the physician’s diagnosis. My own clinical observations and evidence-based findings published in spine journals support this fact. Critical to an accurate diagnosis is the following: 1) The physician should him/herself obtain a detailed medical history from the patient, perform a physical and neurological examination, and procedure interview before performing any procedure. From these findings, the physician will come to his own diagnostic impression. 2) The physician who will perform the spinal epidural injection must read all supporting plain x-rays, CT or MRI films, and electrodiagnostic studies. He must take all the available information into consideration when making the final diagnosis. Pinpointing the cause of back and neck pain can be difficult. The causes of back and neck pain are many and may not always
