Epidural Injections

What are epidural injections?

Epidural injections are an interventional pain management treatment that provides instant and long-term pain relief. The injection contains a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic that the pain management experts at Advanced Pain Management of Arizona inject into the epidural space in your spine.

The epidural space is the fat-filled space that covers and protects your spinal cord and spinal nerves. The epidural injection alleviates pain by reducing inflammation around the nerves, causing the painful sensations. 

Am I a candidate for epidural injections?

The Advanced Pain Management of Arizona team conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come in looking for relief from your pain to determine the best treatment for you. You may be a candidate for epidural injections if you have ongoing neck, back, arm, or leg pain from:

• A herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)
• Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae)

The team may only recommend epidural injections if you have tried and failed to get pain relief from less invasive treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy. 

What happens during an epidural injection?

Epidural injections are an in-office treatment that the team performs using ultrasound or X-ray guidance. During your injection, you lie on your stomach on the exam table. Your provider first injects a local anesthetic to numb the area of your spine undergoing the injection.

Your provider then inserts a hollow needle between your vertebrae and into the epidural space at the source of your pain. When the needle is in the correct position, your provider injects the corticosteroid and anesthetic, bathing the inflamed nerves. 

Depending on your diagnosis, the Advanced Pain Management of Arizona team may perform more than one epidural injection during your appointment. 

What happens after my epidural injection?

After your epidural injection, the team has you remain at the office for a short period of time for monitoring. You need to arrange to have someone drive you home and plan to take it easy the rest of the day. You can resume most of your usual activities the day after your injection.

The team has you keep a pain diary following your injection so they can monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. If you have mild pain relief, the team may recommend repeating your injection up to two more times spaced 1-4 weeks apart.

With an epidural injection, you may experience pain relief for weeks or even years. The team recommends physical therapy or a home exercise program to prevent a recurrence of your pain condition.

Find out if epidural injections can help ease your pain by calling Advanced Pain Management of Arizona or scheduling a consultation online today.