What is an Epidural Injection?

Epidural Injections / Medications are a class of drugs that are referred to as local anesthetics. They may be also delivered by a doctor in combination with opioids or narcotics.

Epidural Back & Neck Pain Relief

The epidural injection may be done with steroids to reduce pain and inflammation in the back, arms, legs or back.

An epidural is an injection that goes into your “epidural space,” which is right outside of the membrane that protects your spinal cord. Doctors use epidural injections to relieve pain during and after surgery, as well as, managing chronic pain. At Integrated Spine & Pain Care, our doctors are experienced in providing epidurals to patients who are appropriate for the procedure. If an epidural is an option, our doctors will administer, and it may provide you longer-lasting pain relief while helping you stay more alert and mobile.

An X-Ray is used with a special dye to insert the needle into the correct spot. The epidural allows a patient to still be able to feel to the touch. Our goal at, Integrated Spine & Pain Care is to reduce pain so you may resume normal activities and provide maximum pain relief. The epidural Procedure itself may take approximately 15-20 minutes and the numbing may take effect quickly. The steroid portion starts in 2-5 days. Pain relief varies from person to person and the benefits of an epidural may last for several months.

Who is an Epidural Candidate?

Patients with pain in the neck, arm, low back, or leg (sciatica) may benefit from ESI. Specifically, those with the following conditions:

• Spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal and nerve root canal can cause back and leg pain, especially when walking.
• Spondylolisthesis: A weakness or fracture between the upper and lower facets of a vertebra. If the vertebra slips forward, it can compress the nerve roots causing pain.
• Herniated disc: The gel-like material within the disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the surrounding wall (annulus). Irritation, pain, and swelling occur when this material squeezes out and comes in contact with a spinal nerve.
• Degenerative disc: A breakdown or aging of the intervertebral disc causing collapse of the disc space, tears in the annulus, and growth of bone spurs.
• Sciatica: Pain that courses along the sciatic nerve in the buttocks and down the legs. It is usually caused by compression of the 5th lumbar or 1st sacral spinal nerve.

Pinched Nerves: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections, or CESI for short, is administered to help relieve pains in the regions of the neck, shoulder, and arms that are caused by a pinched nerve or series of pinched nerves in the cervical spine. A multitude of conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or spinal radiculopathy can cause compression of the nerves, causing pain and inflammation. The injection uses medications that will help decrease the swelling of the affected nerve or nerves. Some patients don’t get relief after one injection and therefore may need a series of 1 to 2 more injections spaced over a period of time before feeling a substantial amount of pain relief. At Integrated Spine and Pain Care, we are able to perform these injections in-office or at an appropriate facility to match your comfort.

Trigger Point Injections are done frequently at Integrated Spine & Pain Care. These injections are done to relieve or reduce pains at trigger points. These trigger points are done to relieve and reduce pain at trigger points. These trigger points are regions of tender knots that form in muscles or the fascia. The injections are done in the office and take a few minutes in a short amount of time. Pain relief may last for a few days or months. Trigger point injections may be given almost every office visit.

Patients who take blood thinning medication (Coumadin, Plavix, etc.) may need to stop taking it several days before the ESI. Discuss any medications with your doctors.

Finally, please arrange to have someone drive you to and from the office the day of the epidural injection. We look forward to helping achieve the best results for you! Many patients experience pain relief and overall benefits from an epidural, some may need additional injections in 2-4-week intervals. Our professional staff at Integrated Spine & Pain Care will advise you of the best medical plan to take for a Pain Free lifestyle.

Integrated Spine & Pain Care

Integrated Spine & Pain Care

1111 Broadway Route 110

Farmingdale NY 11735

Telephone No 516 336 8659

Centrally located in Farmingdale in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. We are close to major highways and the Long Island Railroad. Near Massapequa, Levittown, Seaford, Bethpage, Amityville, Lindenhurst & Huntington in Suffolk County.

Call or email us at 516.336.8659 or [email protected] to make an appointment to review your options for medical treatment.
Integrated Spine & Pain Care, Distinguished Medical Providers of Pain Management on Long Island.

Source:

Mayfieldclinic.com

Medlineplus.gov

Webmd.com