Spinal injections
Spinal injections are minimally invasive procedures used to help diagnose and treat some causes of neck, back and nerve pain.
How can spinal injections help?
Spinal injections may be used to:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Improve mobility and function
- Support participation in physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Help identify the source of symptoms when scans and examination findings are inconclusive
- Assist with treatment planning, including decisions regarding surgery
Conditions treated with spinal injections
Spinal injections may be considered for:
- Sciatica
- Brachialgia (arm pain caused by nerve irritation)
- Disc prolapse (slipped disc)
- Spinal stenosis
- Facet joint pain
- Degenerative spinal conditions
- Persistent pain following previous spinal surgery
Not all spinal conditions are suitable for injection treatment, and your consultant will discuss whether an injection is likely to be beneficial.
Types of spinal injections
Your Fortius specialist will select the precise injection technique based on your symptons, examination findings and imaging results:
- Nerve Root Block: Targets a specific pinched nerve root as it exits the spinal canal.
- Nerve root injections (nerve root blocks) Target an irritated or compressed spinal nerve causing symptoms such as sciatica or arm pain.
- Epidural injections (including caudal epidurals) Deliver anti-inflammatory medication around multiple spinal nerves and may be used for conditions such as spinal stenosis or widespread nerve irritation.
- Facet joint injections Target the small joints at the back of the spine that can contribute to neck or back pain.
- Medial branch blocks Used to determine whether pain is arising from the facet joints and may help guide further treatment.
Recovery and post-treatment timeline after Spinal injections
Phase 1
Most injections are performed as day-case procedures. You will spend a short period in recovery before being discharged home once you are comfortable and it is safe to do so.
Phase 2
The local anaesthetic may provide temporary relief initially before wearing off. Some patients experience a temporary increase in discomfort or soreness around the injection site before symptoms begin to improve.
Phase 3
The anti-inflammatory medication may take several days or, in some cases, a few weeks to achieve its full effect. Some patients experience significant symptom relief, whilst others notice a more gradual improvement.
Phase 4
As symptoms allow, you will be encouraged to gradually return to normal activity. Spinal injections are often most effective when combined with an appropriate rehabilitation programme, including physiotherapy, exercise and self-management strategies.
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
1 of 4