Role of injection therapy: review of indications for trigger point injections, regional blocks, facet joint injections, and intra-articular injections

Injection therapies play a major role in the management of various pain conditions, Some injections are relatively simple to perform whereas others are technically demanding with significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Traditional therapies such as intra-articular injections, regional blocks, and trigger-point injections continue to be redefined as we gain a better understanding into the pathophysiology of nociception, with a greater insight into regional anatomy using improved imaging capabilities. Injection therapies are becoming an integral part of the multidisciplinary therapies required to improve and rehabilitate pain patients. The necessity of clinical outcome assessments including functional-based outcomes and cost-effective analysis is becoming more important in the current medical reimbursement environment. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2002, 14:52-57 (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.