Epidural Steroid Injections Specialist

What are epidural injections?

Epidural injections are a vital part of nonsurgical pain management that delivers a robust anti-inflammatory medicine directly into your spine. The injections usually combine a local anesthetic with a corticosteroid to provide immediate pain relief as well as a long-lasting reduction in inflammation. Epidural injections also include a saline solution that washes out your spine, flushing away some of the proteins that contribute to inflammatory conditions.

Your epidural space is located in your spine, between the membrane and dural wall, just outside of the dural sac that holds and protects the nerves that travel through your spine. It contains fat and blood vessels.

What conditions benefit from epidural injections?

The physicians at International Spine Pain & Performance Center recommend epidural injections to relieve pain caused by conditions such as:

• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica

Every patient is different, and the effects of epidural injections can last between one day and a year, depending on your needs and condition. Epidural injections are often used to provide relief from acute pain so you can focus on healing your body with physical therapy or other therapies recommended by your physician.

What should I expect from epidural injections?

During your epidural injection, you lie on your front or side on a treatment table. Your doctor applies a local anesthetic to the injection site to help you stay comfortable during your injection. Then, using fluoroscopy — a particular type of X-ray — your physician guides the needle to the epidural space, trying to get as close to the source of your pain as possible.

The team at ISPP Center usually use epidural injections to address pain in your cervical or lumbar spine. You should be able to get up and walk around immediately after your injection. Most patients report nearly immediate noticeable pain relief, and you should be able to return to your regular activities the day following your injection.

Am I a good candidate for epidural injections?

If you have back pain that’s due to swelling and inflammation in your spine, you may be an excellent candidate for epidural injections. The doctors at ISPP Center provide comprehensive exams, including diagnostic imaging studies, to identify the cause of your pain and the best treatment available to meet your needs.

Call International Spine Pain & Performance Center or make an appointment online today for expert, customized care for your back pain.