Cervical & Lumbar Epidural Injections
Cervical and Lumbar Epidural Injections are non-surgical procedures used to treat chronic neck and back pain. They are safe alternatives to surgery and can be used to treat a variety of conditions such as herniated discs and Degenerative Disc Disease. These injections are performed as an outpatient procedure under light sedation or a local anesthetic by a Spine Surgery Associates team of Board Certified Pain Management Physicians. This non-surgical approach uses fluoroscopic guidance to ensure accuracy.
At the New Jersey Spine Institute, we utilize both surgical and non-surgical approaches to comprehensively treat chronic neck and back pain. To learn more about epidural steroid injections as a treatment option for your specific condition, contact our clinic today to book an appointment!
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What do Epidural Injections Treat?
Epidural steroid injections calm irritated nerves and treat underlying inflammation. They may be used to effectively address pain and discomfort stemming from a wide range of different chronic back and neck issues including:
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Vertebral bone spurs
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Compression fractures and other injuries to vertebrae, spinal nerves, the spinal cord, and surrounding tissues
- Cysts
- Spondylolysis
- Scoliosis (in cases that cause nerve root irritation)
Epidural steroid injections are usually part of a more comprehensive treatment plan for neck and back pain and rarely used in isolation. At New Jersey Spine Institute, our expert doctors often recommend them as a complementary treatment to be used in combination with other approaches. Book an appointment to learn more about how epidural steroid injections may benefit your particular condition!
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections have many potential benefits for patients, including the following:
Decreased Pain and Inflammation
The treatment of symptoms such as pain and inflammation is the primary reason why epidural injections are recommended.
May Provide Diagnostic Information
The effectiveness of epidural injections can provide important diagnostic information about the source and cause of pain a patient is experiencing.
Minimally Invasive
Treatment with epidural steroid injections can mitigate the need for more invasive surgical procedures.
Improved Physical Therapy Outcomes
When epidural injections reduce pain and inflammation, the patient may be able to more effectively participate in physical therapy and other rehabilitative practices.
Reduced Need for Pain Medicatio
When pain is effectively managed through epidural injections, patients may be able to reduce their reliance on pain medications.
Improved Quality of Life
Ultimately, this is the goal of every treatment plan at New Jersey Spine Institute.
Known Risks and Side Effects
As with any treatment option, receiving one or more epidural steroid injections comes with potential risks and side effects. These may include:
- A temporary increase in pain
- Temporary tenderness and/or bruising at the injection site
- Temporary low blood pressure
- A severe headache caused by spinal fluid leakage
- Bleeding (if a blood vessel is damaged during the procedure)
- Temporary loss of bladder or bowel control
- Weakening of bones and muscles near the injection site (the number of injections will be limited by your doctor in order to mitigate this risk)
- Low-level radiation exposure (may be an issue for pregnant women)
- In extremely rare cases, chronic pain, paralysis, or neurological deficits may occur
To learn more about the specific risks and potential side effects associated with epidural injections based on your particular condition and situation, speak directly with one of our world-class doctors at New Jersey Spine Institute.
Preparing to Receive an Epidural Steroid Injection
Before you receive an epidural injection, it is critical to share all relevant medical information with your doctor. This includes:
- Any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Whether you may be pregnant
- Any known health conditions and/or allergies
In preparation for the procedure, your doctor may order a diagnostic imaging test such as an MRI or CT scan and will provide detailed instructions for you to follow. You may be asked to fast, adjust medications such as blood thinners, and arrange a support person to take care of you after your appointment if sedation will be used. Our dedicated team at New Jersey Spine Institute will be by your side every step of the way and is always available to answer questions and respond to any concerns you may have.
What Happens During an Epidural Injection?
To begin this procedure, the physician will anesthetize the area and administer a local anesthetic. Next, a contrast dye is injected into the affected area. This contrast dye allows the physician to ensure proper placement of the needle as the dye is visible using fluoroscopic (real-time x-ray) guidance.
Next, a mixture of anesthetic, saline, and anti-inflammatory medicine is injected around the epidural space under fluoroscopic guidance. This mixture helps reduce the inflammation of the spinal nerves that are causing the pain. The needle is removed and a small bandage is placed over the injection site.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, your doctor may perform a cervical (neck) injection or a lumbar (lower back) injection. The path of the needle may be interlaminar (between the flat bone plates of the vertebra), transforaminal (via the openings in the vertebra through which nerve roots branch off from the spinal cord), or caudal (via the sacrum to reach the lowest nerves in the spine). During the procedure, you may experience pressure, tingling, or momentary pain. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience intense pain or discomfort at any point.
Recovery After an Epidural Steroid Injection
After undergoing an epidural steroid injection, you may experience soreness near the injection site that should resolve within a day or two. You may also experience nerve pain that worsens temporarily before improving. The pain relief associated with epidural steroid injections can last for weeks or months, though usually no more than one year. Many patients receive sets of injections on an ongoing basis, as recommended by our expert team.
Combining Epidural Steroid Injection With Physical Therapy
Combining physical therapy with epidural injections can be an effective way to improve the rehabilitation process and achieve overall better recovery outcomes. When physical therapy exercises and techniques are able to be performed without pain, the benefits can be exceptional! At New Jersey Spine Institute, we often recommend combining these two treatment approaches for optimal results. Speak directly with your doctor to learn more.
Ready to learn more about the potential benefits of epidural steroid injections and resolve neck or back pain? Book an appointment at New Jersey Spine Institute today!
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