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Epidural Steroid Injections |
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What is an epidural steroid injection?
An epidural steroid injection is a therapeutic procedure done to relieve or eliminate pain in patients with spinal degeneration, spinal stenosis (narrowing) and/or disc herniation/protrusion. Inflammation can be a cause of this pain and the steroid injection helps to reduce it.
How successful are the injections?
Success varies depending on what is causing the pain. Our highest success rate is with patients with acute symptoms, especially due to disc herniation/protrusion.
The procedure is somewhat less effective in patients with chronic or long-standing symptoms. There have been cases where patients who have had the spinal injection procedure have avoided surgery.
How long can the pain be relieved?
In some patients, a single injection will give permanent relief. Many patients require multiple injections, up to three for maximum effectiveness. In patients where inflammation is not a contributing factor to the pain, this injection may not provide any relief.
Why do epidural steroid injections work?
There is an inflammatory component that can cause the pain in many patients with neck and back disorders. Steroids act by reducing the inflammation and subsequently ease the pain. In patients where the inflammatory process is not a major contributor to source of pain, epidural steroid injections have limited success.
How do I prepare for the procedure? - Do not eat solid foods for 3 hours prior to the examination.
- If you have an active infection and are taking antibiotics, the medication course must be complete prior to the procedure, to ensure that no infection remains.
- If you are taking blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid), you will have to stop the medication prior to the procedure. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping any medication to determine if it is safe for you.
- Wear comfortable clothes without metal fasteners, including zippers, buttons and snaps.
- Bring someone to drive you home. We recommend refraining from driving for the rest of the day.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to complete registration.
- Bring with you: Your appointment form; insurance information, including your insurance card; valid photo i.d.
- Please let us know about any of the following: Pregnancy, known or possible; allergies to medications, iodine or x-ray contrast; recent flu shot
Image-guided injections
Our injections are image guided, which means that imaging equipment called fluoroscopy (a type of low-dose x-ray) is used to clearly view the area in real time, on a video monitor. This ensures exact placement of the needle during the procedure.
How is the procedure done?
The procedure will take approximately 20 minutes. You will lie on an x-ray table on your stomach. The area to be injected will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Local anesthetic will be applied to numb the area.
A small needle will be placed into the space surrounding the nerved in your spinal canal (called the epidural space). The location of the needle will be confirmed by injecting a small amount of x-ray contrast. Some patients may feel a slight pressure sensation or discomfort while the contrast is being injected. Next a combination of anesthetic (immediate relief) and steroid (long-term relief) will be injected.
What are some of the side effects/complications of an epidural steroid injection?
As with any procedure involving a needle, there is a very small risk of infection or bleeding. If the fluid space around the nerve in the spine is inadvertently entered, there is a very small chance of a post spinal headache. Occasionally patients will describe pain at the injection site secondary to the needle placement, transient headaches or leg weakness, which clears after a few hours. If any of these symptoms persist, please contact your healthcare provider’s office for further assistance.
After the examination
A summary of the procedure will be sent to your healthcare provider.
Unless directed otherwise, you may resume your normal diet, prescribed medications and activities, although rigorous activities should be withheld until the next day.
As the anesthetic that was injected wears off, your symptoms may return and may be worse for 1-2 days until the steroid takes effect. You may feel soreness at the needle insertion site for 2-3 days; you can use an ice pack to relieve any discomfort, up to 15 minutes per hour.
Epidural Steroid Injections are available at: Coon Rapids, Southdale and Maple Grove |
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