Epidural Injections

What are epidural injections?

Epidural injections at the Centers of Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine are injections that help reduce pain, numbness, tingling, and inflammation. This nonsurgical treatment helps individuals with specific types of body pain. 

A numbing medicine and steroid are injected into targeted areas of your body to achieve long-lasting pain relief. The injections may target your leg, arm, back, neck, or other areas. The injection goes into the epidural space under imaging guidance for optimal precision and accuracy. 

Who is a candidate for epidural injections?

Candidates for epidural injections may include those struggling with:

• Arm, leg, back, or neck pain 
• Joint inflammation
• Spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal)
• Spondylolysis (weakness or fracture in the vertebrae)
• Disc herniation
• Degenerative discs
• Sciatica

To determine if epidural injections are right for you, the Centers of Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine experts discuss your medical history and symptoms, complete a physical exam, and may order blood testing, nerve testing, imaging procedures, or other diagnostic tests.

They personalize a pain-relieving solution that offers exceptional results and may combine more than one type of treatment.  

What can I expect when receiving epidural injections?

Follow your pain specialist’s instructions to prepare for the procedure. You receive local anesthesia to maximize comfort. Your specialist uses a needle to inject medicine into the epidural space using imaging guidance. The treatment typically lasts 15-45 minutes, followed by a short period of recovery. 

What happens after epidural injections?

After receiving epidural injections, you can head home but have someone drive you. Take the rest of the day off work. Common (temporary) side effects include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Ice the area or take medicine to ease any tenderness. 

Avoid lifting objects weighing 25 pounds or more until given the okay. You might also experience numbness, tingling, or drowsiness after the injection, but these side effects fade over time with rest. Follow up with your pain specialist to monitor progress and address any concerns. 

You might be a candidate for additional injections, along with physical therapy and healthy lifestyle habit adjustments, to experience a superior outcome.

Schedule an epidural injection consultation at the Centers of Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine by phone or request one online today.