Less Invasive Procedures
Epidural Steroid Injections
What are epidural steroid injections?
Epidural corticosteroid injections, administered within the epidural region, provide significant relief from the debilitating pain caused by lumbar disc injuries. The epidural area, a protective fat-contained region the spinal cord and nearby nerves, plays a crucial and active role in this pain relief process.
Why do you administer epidural steroid injections?
Epidural steroid injections are a precise solution to the intense pain in the arms and legs caused by inflammation of the spinal nerve roots. These injections target the discomfort from the narrowing nerve passages from the spine to the upper and lower extremities, which is the root cause of the pain, providing a focused approach to your relief.
There are reasons for this type of pain, such as:
- Herniated disc: A slipped (herniated disc) arises when the marshmallow-like interior of the spinal disc (nucleus pulposus) breaks through the hard outer casing (annulus fibrosus). When the herniated disc irritates the nearby nerves, it can result in weakness, pain and numbness.
- Degenerative disc disease is the slow decline of the intervertebral discs, which results in the collapse of the intervertebral space and compression of the spinal nerve roots.
- Collapsed vertebrae occur due to compression fractures, which result in lost vertebral height, pain and spinal deformity.
- Joint cysts: an epidural steroid injection may be administered directly around the cyst. Even though the epidural will not minimise the cyst, it will treat pain from it.
- Bone spurs: Osteophytes are hard lumps that may form on the bones of the spine. Fortunately, treatment can be done conservatively when problems such as stiffness and pain occur. However, epidural steroid injections are a temporary pain relief solution for bone spurs.
How do you administer epidural steroid injections?
The procedure is conducted with meticulous precision, using X-ray imaging to guide the placement of the needle within the epidural space. With the aid of moving images on the monitor, the medical professional precisely positions the needle and administers the steroid or cortisone, ensuring the best possible outcome.
Epidural Steroid Injections
frequently asked questions
1. What are the contraindications for the procedure?
- Allergy to the anaesthetic or corticosteroid
- Infection at the injection site
2. Are there any risks or adverse effects from the procedure?
The procedure, like any invasive procedure, may involve the following risks, although it's very rare:
- Infection
- Headache
- Low blood pressure
How long does the epidural steroid injection offer pain relief?
It's important to note that while the results can be significant, the pain relief from the epidural steroid injection is temporary, typically lasting up to six months. The duration may vary depending on the patient and the severity of the condition, so it's important to be prepared for the potential need for follow-up treatments.
The essence of neurosurgery is where the surgeon's skill, the patient's hope, and the faith in medical science converge to bring about life-changing outcomes. It's a reminder that in the face of fear, hope and faith can lead to miraculous results.
