An increase in steroid injections to relieve back and neck pain is prompting a jump in severe complications associated with epidurals, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.
The FDA has decided to review the safety of steroid injections into the epidural space near the spinal cord following reports of severe side effects. James Rathmell, MD, chief of pain medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, alerted the FDA to cases where such shots cause complications such as strokes.
Steroid shots are now the most popular method for physicians in the U.S. to treat neck and back pain, according to research studies. One found that the number of injections to Medicare patients increased 159 percent between 2000 and 2010. The increase is driven by an aging population as well as high reimbursement for treatments, according to the report.
A survey of physicians in the journal Spine in 2007 found 78 cases where patients suffered serious injury or death after undergoing shots in the cervical area of the upper spine. Earlier this year, an analysis of malpractice claims from 2005-2008 identified 31 cases in which patients who received shots reported spinal cord injuries and eight cases in which patients suffered strokes.
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The FDA has decided to review the safety of steroid injections into the epidural space near the spinal cord following reports of severe side effects. James Rathmell, MD, chief of pain medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, alerted the FDA to cases where such shots cause complications such as strokes.
Steroid shots are now the most popular method for physicians in the U.S. to treat neck and back pain, according to research studies. One found that the number of injections to Medicare patients increased 159 percent between 2000 and 2010. The increase is driven by an aging population as well as high reimbursement for treatments, according to the report.
A survey of physicians in the journal Spine in 2007 found 78 cases where patients suffered serious injury or death after undergoing shots in the cervical area of the upper spine. Earlier this year, an analysis of malpractice claims from 2005-2008 identified 31 cases in which patients who received shots reported spinal cord injuries and eight cases in which patients suffered strokes.
Related Articles on Pain Management:
Tennessee Legislation Would Require Database Check Before Opioid Prescription
Preferred Pain Center in Arizona Adds Comprehensive Pain Management
5 Best Practices for Pain Management