Are Injections Painful? [Video]

About the video: Will the injection be painful?

Patients often wonder whether or not an injection will be painful. Summit Orthopedics expert Catherine Choi, M.D. answers that question.

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.

Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive spine expertise

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.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

More resources for you

• Watch the video: Spinal Injections and What to Expect
• Ask Dr. Santos: How Do Injections Help Diagnose Back Pain?
• Meet Pain Interventionalist Dr. Catherine Choi
• Ask Dr. Santos: Tips for Fast Back Pain Relief

Video Transcription

Everybody’s response to injection varies, and so we tell patients it really depends on your pain threshold. For example, some patients, when they have the injection, they’re surprised that the injection went so smoothly. And by the time we’re done, they say, “What, that was it? We’re all done?” And they’re very surprised. Other patients will be very nervous about the procedure, and starting from the very beginning, when we do the local anesthetic, they may have a lot of discomfort. So I would say that it varies person to person depending on your anatomy and your pain threshold.

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