Spinal Injections and What to Expect [Video]

About the video: What can I expect during my injection?

Listen to Summit Orthopedics’ spine experts Catherine Choi, M.D., and Pooja Mundrati, D.O. discuss what a person can expect during a spinal injection treatment.

Meet Dr. Catherine Choi

Dr. Choi’s approach: “My philosophy in treating my patient is to provide personalized spine education,  review comprehensive treatment options and work together in determining the best path for you.”

Dr. Choi’s education: After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL, she graduated with her medical degree from the Chicago, IL branch of the University of Illinois. She remained in Chicago for advanced medical training, completing an Internal Medicine Internship at West Suburban Hospital as well as Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation training at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Choi also participated in the University of Chicago’s Interventional Pain Management Fellowship in the Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care.

Meet Dr. Pooja Mundrati

Dr. Mundrati’s approach: “Initially, I hope to help my patients understand what’s going on so that together we can choose the best treatment plan. Ultimately, my goal is to help my patients get better and get them back to what they enjoy.”

Dr. Mundrati’s education: Dr. Mundrati studied at the University of Chicago as an undergraduate in Chicago, Illinois. After earning her degree, she completed medical school at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. Following her residency at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School/Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation in West Orange and an internship at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, she participated in the Interventional Spine and Sports Fellowship program at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians in Phoenix, Arizona.

Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive spine expertise

Summit Orthopedics’ Spinecare program is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for the comprehensive expertise of our patient-centered care. Our back specialists diagnose spine problems and design custom treatment plans built on a conservative, nonsurgical approach. Most patients find relief through treatments including guided injections, specialized physical therapy, biofeedback, exercise, activity modification, and medication. When conservative care does not relieve symptoms, our highly skilled surgeons offer proven, evidence-based surgical options. Together with you, we will determine the right course of action.

Start your journey to a healthy spine. Find your spine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a spine consultation.

More resources for you

• Introducing Pooja Mundrati, D.O. [Video]
• Learn more about Spine Injections [Video]
• Injection Relief [Video]

Video Transcription

I think a lot of patients tend to be very fearful of the word injection in their spine. And it makes sense because you’re talking about your spine, and we’ve always been told that that is a very, very sensitive, delicate part of our body. In actuality, the injections that we do with spine intervention, it’s very minimally invasive, and they’re very, very safe. When a patient shows up to the procedure clinic, they’ll be checked in, brought back, and probably changed into a gown. Once you’re in the gown, you’ll be laid on the procedure table, usually on your tummy so your back is facing up. And then our staff will make sure that we have the right patient, we have identified the right site that we’re going to be injecting. We have an X-ray machine that helps guide us to make sure that we’re putting the needle in the right place. We would clean you off, usually with some cold soap, and put a drape on. And then once we figured out exactly where we want to go in terms of our target, then you would basically get a little bit of numbing medication – which you may feel a little bit of a pinch and a burn with that. And then we would advance the spinal needle through that and take pictures to see as we go in two dimensions. Because you are a three-dimensional person. And as we get to our place, we’d confirm that, and then place the medication in. And once that’s done, the needle is removed, and the little Band-Aid is placed. And there’s really no significant post-procedural instructions – besides if you’ve had an epidural, you can’t drive for six to eight hours, just in case your legs are a little weak and wobbly. And so we oftentimes ask patients to have a driver with them.

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