31 Oct A Patient’s Guide to Epidural Injections
Pain management specialists may use epidural steroid injections to address certain types of pain. These injections deliver medication directly to the epidural space in the spine. Here is a guide to epidural injections:
What Are Epidural Injections?
Epidural injections are a treatment option for managing pain originating from the spine. The procedure involves injecting medication into the epidural space, which is the area surrounding your spinal cord. This space contains fat, nerves, and blood vessels. The primary goal is to place medication, typically a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic, near the source of inflammation. Targeted delivery allows the medication to act directly on the irritated nerves.
What Do Injections Treat?
Epidural injections are a helpful tool for managing pain from several specific spinal conditions. These conditions often involve inflammation or compression of nerves. Some common conditions that these injections address include:
- Herniated Disc: This happens when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its outer layer. This can irritate nerve roots, causing pain in your back, legs, or arms.
- Spinal Stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on your spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain.
- Sciatica: If you experience pain that travels from your lower back down your leg, an epidural injection can target the inflammation causing this pain.
- Radiculopathy: This condition occurs when a nerve root in the spine becomes pinched or inflamed, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
What Should I Expect During the Procedure?
You will be positioned on an X-ray table, usually lying on your stomach. The medical staff will clean the skin on your back with an antiseptic solution and may numb the area with a local anesthetic. To guide the needle accurately, the physician uses fluoroscopy, a type of X-ray that allows the doctor to see the needle in real-time as it moves toward the epidural space.
Once the needle is in the correct position, a contrast dye is injected to confirm that the medication will flow to the intended location. Then the corticosteroid and anesthetic solution is injected. The process is usually completed quickly, after which you will be moved to a recovery area for a short observation period.
What Happens After the Injections?
In the recovery room, nurses will monitor you for a brief period before clearing you to go home. It is common to experience some soreness at the injection site. Some people report a temporary increase in their usual pain as the local anesthetic wears off and before the corticosteroid begins to work. The anti-inflammatory effects of the steroid are not immediate; they typically begin to take effect within a few days to a week. Your doctor will provide specific post-procedure instructions, including activity limitations for the first day or two. Keeping a pain diary to track your symptoms after the injection can be helpful for your follow-up appointment.
Visit a Pain Management Specialist
Understanding epidural injections is a step toward managing your pain. These procedures can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. A pain management specialist will evaluate your condition and discuss appropriate treatment options with you. If you are experiencing persistent pain, schedule a consultation with a specialist to explore your options.
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