A pain-killing injection, also known as an analgesic injection, is a medical procedure where medication is injected directly into the body to relieve pain. Different types of injections target various pain sources and offer varying durations of relief.
Types of Pain-Killing Injections:
Several medications are administered via injection for pain relief, each with its mechanism and duration of effect:
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Opioids (e.g., Fentanyl): These powerful painkillers block pain signals in the brain. Fentanyl, for example, is used for severe pain when other methods are insufficient or poorly tolerated. [Reference: Fentanyl is an opioid medication to treat severe pain. It works by blocking pain signals in your brain. A healthcare provider will give you an injection of Fentanyl in a hospital or clinic. Providers may use this medication when other pain medications don't work well enough or can't be tolerated.]
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Steroids (e.g., Cortisone): These injections reduce inflammation and swelling around the injection site, thereby relieving pain and stiffness. They are often used for joint pain. [References: Cortisone shots are injections that can help relieve pain, swelling and irritation in a specific area of your body.; When injected into a joint or muscle, steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation) in the nearby area. This can help relieve pain and stiffness.] Examples include epidural steroid injections for lower back pain. [Reference: One of the most common pain management injections is called an epidural steroid injection. This injection is common for lower back pain but may also help with… ]
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Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., Ketorolac): Ketorolac injections provide short-term relief from moderately severe pain. [Reference: Ketorolac injection is used for the short-term relief of moderately severe pain in people who are at least 17 years of age.]
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Nerve Blocks: These injections target specific nerves to block pain signals from a particular area. They can provide pain relief for several hours or longer, depending on the type of block and catheter use. [Reference: For pain relief lasting several hours, an injection is used for a nerve block. For longer pain control, a catheter may be inserted… ] Examples include lumbar medial branch blocks (LMBB) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). [Reference: Lumbar MBB/RFA ... As the name says, this interventional pain relief method focuses on the lumbar facet joints causing you pain.]
The choice of injection depends on the type and location of pain, the patient's medical history, and the severity of the condition. Pain-killing injections are typically administered by healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. In some cases, as seen with professional athletes, they may be used to temporarily alleviate pain to allow continued activity. [Reference: Luka Doncic received a pain-killing injection before Game 2 to numb the area of his thoracic contusion, sources tell @malika_andrews and me.]
