Epidural Steroid Injections
An important part of the non-surgical management of sciatica and lower back pain, Epidural Steroid Injections can provide pain relief during acute episodes of back and/or leg pain.
How does it work?
An epidural steroid injection delivers steroids directly into the epidural space in the spine (the outermost part of the spinal canal. Typically, the solution contains cortisone (steroid) with local anesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine), and/or saline is used.
Why is this a good option?
Epidural steroid injections deliver medication directly (or very near) the source of pain. Oral steroids and painkillers, on the other hand, have a dispersed, less focused impact.
Can other areas be treated?
In addition to the low back (the lumbar region), epidural steroid injections are used to ease pain in the neck (cervical region) and in the mid spine (thoracic region).
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
During a transforaminal injection, a smaller needle is inserted into the epidural space through the bony opening of the exiting nerve root. This technique allows the medicine to be placed closer to the irritated nerve root compared with the conventional approach.
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