Onsite Services

At the Spine Academy of Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland (OACM),

we understand that you lead a busy life. That’s why we conveniently provide treatments and tests for your neck and back pain right in our office so you don’t have to go anywhere else. Call us at (410) 644-1880 to make an appointment at our office in Columbia, Baltimore or Eldersburg, or use our online appointment request form.

Lumbar Facet Injections
Lumbar Epidural Injections
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
Electromyography (EMG)

Injections

The highly trained specialists at the Spine Academy of OACM perform injections that are highly effective at treating certain types of spinal and joint conditions that cause severe pain. These injections include:

Lumbar facet injections are specialized cortisone shots (similar to those done to knees and shoulders) administered to the facet joints in the low back. Facet joints are located on the top and bottom of each vertebra, and they connect the vertebrae to form the spine and allow back motion. Given the small size of the facet joints, a fluoroscope (a weak X-ray) is used to safely guide the needle into the joint. A tiny amount of iodine contrast is used to confirm the position of the needle within the joint before the medication is administered.

Lumbar epidural injections are specialized cortisone shots (similar to those done to knees and shoulder) along the path where nerves exit the lumbar spine. To enhance accuracy and minimize risks, a fluoroscope (a weak X-ray) is used to guide the needle into a safe position near where the nerve exits the lumbar spine. A tiny amount of iodine contrast is used to confirm position of the needle before medication is administered.

Sacroiliac joint injections are specialized cortisone shots (similar to those done to knees and shoulders) to the joints in the back. Since the sciatic nerve runs below the ideal access point of the sacroiliac joint, a fluoroscope (a weak X-ray) is used to safely guide the needle into the joint. A tiny amount of iodine contrast is used to confirm the position of the needle within the joint before the medication is administered.

Due to the location of where the needle is placed, spinal injections cannot be performed while on blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), Effient (prasugrel), Lovenox (enoxaparin) or even aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (NSAIDs). You may need to stop taking these for 3-7 days before treatment, depending on the injection and the medication. Please also let us know if you are allergic to iodine or have kidney problems, as the iodine contrast may cause adverse reactions in these cases.

Electromyography (EMG) is an electrodiagnostic test that measures the nerve impulses in muscles during contraction. Nerves throughout the body exchange information with the brain through nerve impulses. Healthy muscles need nerve input to perform movements. Doctors use EMG to identify muscle function as related to nerve input. EMGs help doctors diagnose neuromuscular disease, neurological disorders, muscle disease, and nerve abnormalities associated with pain or numbness.