Epidural Injections are often used to relieve back and/or leg pain. The causes of this pain are often pinched nerves, which in turn are caused by disc protrusions into the nerve space, arthritic facet joints with resultant narrowing of the spinal canal, and bone spurs. Less often, scar tissue that has formed from a previous surgery can cause nerve impingement and pain.

Nerves exit the spinal cord through the epidural space. Often, this space is utilized to deliver medicine in close proximity to the spinal nerves. The most effective medications include local anesthetics (numbing medicines) and anti-inflammatory steroids, which help reduce swelling and inflammation that can lead to pinched nerves.

Epidural Space is the space outside the dura or covering of the spinal cord. This space runs the length of the spine. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the spine are covered by a membrane called the dura. This is called the epidural space. Nerves travel through the epidural space to the neck and arms or the back and into legs. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain in these regions due to irritation from a damaged disc, release of irritation substances or from contact in some way with the bony structure of the spine.

An epidural injection places anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space to decrease inflammation of the nerve roots, reducing the pain in the back or legs. The epidural injection may help the injury to heal by reducing inflammation. It may occasionally provide permanent relief, but pain relief for several days, weeks or months while the injury/cause of pain is healing.

There are six types of epidural injections:

• Cervical Epidural in the neck
• Thoracic Epidural in the mid and upper back
• Lumbar/caudal epidural in the low back
• Cervical transforaminal in neck
• Thoracic transforaminal in mid and upper back
• Lumbo-sacral transforaminal in low back

The procedure is performed under a local anesthetic. An epidural or spinal needle is then inserted into the epidural space of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and caudal spine or cervical, thoracic or lumbosacral nerve roots. An anesthetic and steroid are injected into the epidural space. The procedure usually takes thirty minutes plus approximately forty-five minutes of recovery time.

For More information on this Procedure please call our Pain Management Specialist.