What is an epidural injection?
Epidural injections contain a corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone or dexamethasone, along with a numbing agent, such as lidocaine. You receive them in the epidural space of your spine, between the covering of the spinal cord and your vertebrae.
The numbing agent offers immediate relief from pain, and when it wears off, the steroid helps reduce inflammation by reducing the activity of the immune system to offer longer-term relief. The injection may also flush out inflammatory proteins that contribute to your pain.
What conditions benefit from an epidural injection?
Epidural injections reduce inflammation responsible for pain in the lower back, legs, neck, and arms. Our providers at Pinnacle Pain and Spine may recommend the injection to address a number of conditions, including:
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Spondylosis
- Sciatica
An epidural injection does not cure your condition, but it can greatly relieve associated pain for a week or even a year, depending on your particular situation.
What should I expect during an epidural injection?
An epidural injection is an in-office procedure, and you go home the same day. Prior to the injection, a technician applies a topical anesthesia to numb the area of the lower back that will receive the needle.
Our providers then use a fluoroscope, which is a special type of X-ray, to locate the optimal area, where they inject you with the steroid. The fluoroscope helps him deliver the steroid as close to the inflamed nerve root as possible.
Most patients tolerate the procedure well, reporting only sensations of pressure and mild pain. The experts at Pinnacle Pain and Spine monitor you for a short time before you leave the office to ensure there’s no reaction. You will need someone else to drive you home.
Most people can go back to their regular activities the day after the injection. If you have any soreness at the injection site, over-the-counter pain relievers can help.
For more information about epidural injections, call the Pinnacle Pain and Spine or book an appointment online.
