What is an epidural injection?
An epidural injection is an injection of some combination of anesthetic medicines, steroids, and saline that Dr. Waltrous injects into the epidural space, the outer part of the spinal canal.
Epidural injections can quickly reduce pain and inflammation around the spinal nerves. This reduction can aid in the healing of an injury and prevent the need for surgical intervention.
Why would I need an epidural injection?
There are a number of conditions that cause chronic pain and lead to mobility issues. Dr. Waltrous may recommend an epidural injection as part of your treatment plan for your injury.
Epidural injections may be beneficial for relieving pain and inflammation from conditions like:
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Spinal bone spurs
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Spinal stenosis
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Herniated discs
After a review of your medical history and the severity of your condition, Dr. Waltrous can determine if epidural injections may be useful in managing your pain and aiding in the healing process.
What can I expect during an epidural injection?
To ensure the injections are going into the correct area of the spinal canal, Dr. Waltrous uses and image guidance modality called fluoroscopy, or live X-ray, during the injection procedure.
After the injection, the medications move quickly through the epidural space to cover the spinal nerves. You may experience immediate pain relief after the procedure, although it can take up to 48 hours to begin to feel relief. You should be able to return to work or your usual routine the next day.
Everyone experiences different degrees of pain relief after an injection. You may enjoy the benefits of the treatment for several weeks or several months after your injection, depending on the nature of your injury. Depending on the results of your initial treatment, Dr. Waltrous can provide additional injections to maximize pain relief in the long term.
To learn more about the benefits of epidural injection, request a consultation at Maryland Sports, Spine and Musculoskeletal Institute online or by phone today.