Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural spinal injection is one of the most common non-surgical treatment options to relieve neck, arm, leg and back pain due to the inflammation of spinal nerves from different spine degenerative conditions such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, sciatica, and many others.
A common characteristic among the spinal conditions treated with epidural steroid injections is a type of pain described as “radicular pain”. This pain – or sometimes numbness or tickling -may radiate from one part to other parts of the body such as hips, buttocks, and legs.
It is worth mentioning that Epidural Steroid Injections contain a strong anti-inflammatory solution due to its use of corticosteroid. By reducing the inflammation, the pain decreases as well. The immediate relief that some patients experience is due to the anesthetic that epidural spine injections contain. This epidural injection is not the same as epidural anesthesia given before birth to decrease labor pain.
When is an epidural injection recommended?
An Epidural Spinal Injection is not a permanent solution for spinal conditions, but a useful treatment option to help patients with their pain and discomfort while their rehabilitation programs such as physical therapy yield results. Furthermore, this procedure is not performed for therapeutic reasons only, but for diagnosis as well. Most orthopedic physicians see this procedure as an opportunity to help a patient through:
- Diagnostic: Determining, through the patient reaction, the specific nerve root involved
- Therapeutic: Providing short or long-term relief from pain by reducing the inflammation
Common Conditions Treated
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Spondylosis
- Sciatica
- Radiculitis
- Radiculopathy
Epidural Injection Procedure
The procedure, performed at our facilities on an outpatient basis, involves administering a medication into the epidural space of the spine (where irritated nerve roots are located). This medication combines a long-lasting steroid (corticosteroid) and a local anesthetic (lidocaine, bupivacaine).
The corticosteroid reduces the inflammation and irritation while the anesthetic interrupts the pain-spasm cycle and pain signal transmission. The patient may experience some pressure during the injection, but the procedure is mostly painless. The entire procedure normally takes less than 15 minutes.
Our Spine Surgeons have been performing epidural injection procedures for years in Boca Raton. For a preferred specialist in Boca Raton, call 561-549-9090.