Pain Relief Centers in Orange County
Helping you discover greater pain relief without drugs.
What is an Epidural Injection?
A recent statistic from Bluemountainhospital.org shows: Epidural Injection have shown long-term success rates ranging from 75 percent to 84 percent for treatment of herniated discs. Here at Centers of Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, we offer epidural injections to treat pain and inflammation throughout the body. Some may believe that epidurals are only used for pregnancy, but they’re not just exclusive to pregnant women. Epidurals during pregnancy are used solely for pain relief, just as we use it to treat our patients. Pain can plague your body and make it nearly impossible to function. An epidural injection is a procedure that targets areas like the neck, arm, back, and leg. The treatment injects medicine into the epidural space that contains both a corticosteroid and an anesthetic. It can reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Results can provide short term to long term pain relief depending on each patient. This procedure can be done with various other healing methods to see better and longer lasting results.
Candidates for an Epidural Injection:
Candidates for the pain injection might have pains and inflammation in the neck, arm, back or leg. Patients may have spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, a herniated disc, degenerative disc, sciatica or a number of other conditions concerning body pain.
- Spinal stenosis is a condition that results in the narrowing of the spinal canal and nerve root canal that causes pain when walking.
- Spondylosis is a condition that can be either a fracture or weakness in the upper and lower part of the vertebra.
This can result in pain deep in the nerve roots. - Herniated disc is when the inside of the disc bulges or ruptures through an area which can cause irritation, pains and swelling.
- Degenerative disc is when the intervertebral disc collapses and tears the annulus. This may even cause bone spur growth.
- Sciatica is a condition where sciatic nerves become compressed and pain engulfs the buttocks and legs.
Epidural Injection Treatment
Before Treatment
The doctor will review your medical history before injection. Patients problem areas will be studied to see where the best placement for injection site is. Patients should discuss any medications that they are currently taking with their doctor for a more seamless treatment.
Treatment Process
The treatment is a nonsurgical alternative to help body pain that involves an injection done by a doctor. The treatment may last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes followed by a short recovery period after injection. The injection works most effectively when placed close to the pain. Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the area. The patient will be awake during the injection. The needle will be injected into the epidural space into the inflamed nerve root. The doctor will use an image guiding system like fluoroscopy or computed tomography to place the needle into target area of pain. The medication will then distributed into the targeted area.
What to expect after the pain injection:
After the treatment, most patients will be able to walk right out of the procedure room. Our doctors recommend that you stay a specified amount of time after the treatment to ensure a safe recovery. Patients should have a ride home after treatment. Soreness may occur, but this can be easily fixed with ice and medication. After treatment, most patients can go about their usual activities, but avoid lifting objects 25 lbs. or over. There are no restrictions to the patient’s diet after treatment is implemented. Patients may experience drowsiness, numbness, or tingling in injection area. These symptoms are all considered normal after the injection and will fade with rest. Our doctors will schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your progress and chat about any questions or concerns you might have.
Results
The epidural injection has immediate results for all patients. This treatment is not a permanent cure for your conditions, but an important source of pain relief. Patients will experience varied pain relief. Pain relief can be anywhere from semi to permanent relief. The results may even deter future use of painkillers and surgical procedures down the road. If pain persists, patients may receive a few more injections to fully benefit from the epidural treatment. This treatment can be coupled with physical therapy to build up strength and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The injection is meant to reduce inflammation, tingling, numbness and pain. This treatment is a nonsurgical alternative for patients with specific body pain.
Steroid and numbing medications are injected into patient’s targeted area of pain.
Pressure will be felt during the injection as well as slight pain. General discomfort may come during the injection. Pain and discomfort will not last.
The treatment will affect each patient differently. Some patient’s pains will subside permanently. Some patient’s pains might return and require more treatment.
Most patients can go about their usual activities, but avoid lifting objects 25 lbs. or over.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise often. A healthy weight can and will help pain throughout the body diminish.
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