Epidural Steroid Injections

An epidural steroid injection could potentially alleviate pain in a person’s back, neck, arm or leg, which will be caused by inflamed nerves in the spine. It is a common complaint for people who are suffering from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

The injection will feature an anesthetic numbing agent, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine, and a corticosteroid, such as methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, and dexamethasone. The methylprednisolone will be administered into the epidural space, which is located between the bony vertebra and the dura sac that surrounds the spinal cord and nerves.

The epidural steroid injection is likely to reduce inflammation in the painful area. It is, however, important to note that the injection is not designed to decrease the size of a herniated disc, as it is administered to remove proteins in the spinal nerves to reduce swelling and, as a result, ease pain. It is often recommended by a physician to alleviate a health condition and to decrease the need for surgical intervention.

Anyone living with neck, back, arm or leg pain could benefit from the epidural steroid injection. A cervical epidural steroid injection could help to ease pain in the neck or any radiating pain into the arm(s). Similarly, a lumbar epidural steroid injection could relieve pain in the lower back or any radiating pain into the leg(s). Radiating pain is usually caused by a pinched nerve or compression on the nerve roots. For example, you could be an ideal candidate if you are living with:

• Spinal stenosis
• A herniated disc
• A degenerative disc
• Sciatica
• Spondylolisthesis

The minimally invasive procedure commonly takes between 15 to 45 minutes to complete. A medical professional will also monitor your condition for a short period, but you will be able to walk around following the injection. As you might experience some leg weakness or numbness, it is recommended that someone drives you home once you have been discharged. While most patients will be able to embark on their daily activities the next day, a pain management physician could recommend a recovery period based on your specific needs.

If you choose to embark with the epidural steroid injection, you will be required to lie on an x-ray table. A local anesthetic will then be used to numb the painful area, which will minimize any discomfort during the procedure.

Every patient will remain awake from start to finish of the treatment, which will allow them to provide feedback to a physician. It might also provide comfort to know that the epidural injection is a safe procedure to perform, as a physician will use an x-ray fluoroscope to successfully guide the needle through a patient’s skin.

Once a physician has successfully positioned the needle, they will then inject the anesthetic agent and corticosteroid medication into the epidural area before removing the needle. They may, however, need to repeat the process on the right or left side, which will be dependent on the location of your pain. While it is possible you might feel a little discomfort, it is more common to feel pressure rather than physical pain.

As with any medical procedure, there are certain side effects that should always be considered prior to the injection. Generally, these symptoms tend to be rare and are short term. Some side effects of the injections include:

• Increased pain at the site of injection
• Increased blood sugar
• Headache
• Facial and chest flush
• Anxiety
• Increase blood pressure

We believe our patients shouldn’t be forced to live with pain, which is why our qualified physicians are committed to developing a customized treatment plan to improve your quality of life.

You can rest assured that every physician at Icon Medical Centers is fully-certified to evaluate your condition, such as experienced neurosurgeons, chiropractors, and physiatrists. For this reason, you can trust they can expertly make a diagnosis and administer the epidural steroid injection.

If you want to take back control of your physical and mental health, you should not hesitate to book an appointment at one of our clinics in Florida. Our goal is to effectively treat the pain you are experiencing, so you can enjoy a better quality of life.