For over 70 years, epidural injections have been used in the medical field as anesthesia during surgery and childbirth. They are also an established treatment for pain associated with inflamed spinal nerves. These injections typically deposit pain medicine in the spine’s epidural space to alleviate pain. The epidural area contains fat, nerve roots, blood vessels, and the spinal cord; it surrounds the dura to protect the spinal cord against damage. Read on to know why your pain management Albany specialist may recommend epidural injections.
When would I benefit from epidural injections?
Epidural injections may help relieve pain caused by nerve root irritation, often due to disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis. Other problems that cause inflammation of the spinal nerves include joint cysts and thickened ligaments due to spinal arthritis. Usually, specialists recommend epidural injections if your pain doesn’t improve with conservative treatment, including medication. Pain from inflamed spinal nerves can radiate from the neck or lower back into your arms or legs.
What are the risks of an epidural injection?
Epidural injections are commonly performed procedures and are generally well-tolerated. Usually, they cause no complications, but some people experience the following side effects.
- Anxiety
- Flushing of the face and chest
- Menstrual changes
- Sleep problems
- Pain that worsens for several days after the procedure
- Water retention
Although rare, an epidural injection may cause serious complications such as nerve damage, infection, allergic reaction, bleeding, and paralysis.
Preparing for an epidural injection
An epidural steroid injection is usually offered on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home on the day of the procedure. You’ll discuss it with your provider before the procedure, like any other treatment. During an initial consultation, your healthcare provider will explain what an epidural injection entails, including its risks and benefits. If you have diabetes or are allergic to contrast dye, you’ll discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider before getting the procedure.
You also need to inform your doctor if you are on any blood thinning medications so that they give you specific instructions about when to stop taking the medicines.
What to expect during an epidural steroid procedure
First, you will change from your clothes to a surgical gown; this makes the injection process easier. Your provider will use an X-ray machine that shows real-time images on a screen to guide the needle in the correct place. Injecting contrast dye at the site ensures that the doctor deposits the medicine in the precise location. Next, the healthcare provider injects the steroid medication or may combine it with a local anesthetic to help with pain relief.
You can return home once the procedure is done and resume normal activities the next day. The medicine often starts to work within one to three days, but in some cases, it may take up to a week to experience the effects. Many people experience significant long-term improvement in pain and functional outcome. You may repeat the procedure to maintain the results if the injection is effective. Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects, including worsening pain.
For further questions about epidural injections, consult your doctor at Orthopaedic Associates.
