Epidural injections relieve pain
People with chronic pain do not always find significant relief from medications and physical therapy. The next step in pain management is an epidural steroid injection.
An epidural injection delivers a powerful steroid drug along with an anesthetic to the outer layer of the spine. The injection is given with the help of X-rays, which guide the needle precisely into the space around the spine (the epidural space).
Narcotics provide immediate relief, while steroid medications reduce inflammation of the affected nerves, allowing for long-term relief.
Conditions Treated by Epidural Injections
Epidural injections can be used to relieve pain from chronic conditions, such as:
- Disc rupture/herniation
- sciatica
- spinal stenosis
- bone spurs
- pain radiating from the spine
If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic pain and the treatment options you have tried so far are not giving you the relief you need, talk to your pain management doctor about epidural injections.
Epidural steroid injections can provide short-term relief from nerve pain but last longer than any oral medication. It is also a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, so you can return to your daily life and work almost immediately. However, your doctor may ask you to take a day off and avoid strenuous activity or work for a few days.
Pain specialists can help you find lasting relief through minimally invasive treatment options, which are often provided as outpatient procedures with minimal downtime.
