If you have been experiencing pain in your leg, arm, neck or lower back, seeking treatment is crucial. If your pain stems from inflammation, then you may consider an epidural injection. However, if you have never had an epidural injection before, then it is important to be educated on the process. You should know how safe it is. For more information on treatment options for pain, contact your center for pain management here.
How do Epidural Injections Work?
Epidural injections treat areas of the body that have become inflamed and cause pain to the surrounding area(s). The epidural provides relief to the inflammation by injecting a drug that mimics the effects of cortisone and hydrocortisone. By mimicking their effects, the epidural injection is able to provide the same relief. The effect from the injection can take anywhere between a couple of hours and one week to kick in. Generally, patients feel the effects between one and three days.
How Does the Injection Process Work?
Now that you know more about the epidural injections and how they provide pain relief, it is important to discuss how the injection itself works. According to the experts, there are three common ways: interlaminar, caudal, and transforaminal. Each of these methods involves the use of a thin needle, which positions with x-ray guidance. It also involves a dye to confirm the medication is in the right area, and a local anesthetic to provide a numb sensation around the needle site.
After the procedure, you will rest for the remainder of the day and focus on recovering. From there, you will have a follow-up appointment to discuss any symptoms and to confirm your results. Although epidural injections are widely practiced and effective, it is important to choose the right pain management team. For more information on the different approaches and the process itself, visit CRPM today.
Are They Safe?
Having an epidural injection is almost always very safe. It is commonly practiced and most patients find it brings relief. However, like any procedure, there are risks involved, even if the risks are rare.
For example, it is possible for patients to have an allergic reaction to the injection. Another risk is that the needle can go too far and cause a hole in the tissue that surrounds that spinal cord and nerve roots. This can cause spinal fluid to leak out and result in a headache for the patient. It can also cause temporary numbness, which can be unpleasant for patients. Even though these occurrences are rare, it is important to discuss them with your doctor to ensure that you have weighed the pros and cons of the epidural injection.
Epidural injections are a popular treatment option for pain relief due to its effectiveness, low recovery time, and safety. It has been helping patients all over get the pain relief they need and getting back on track to a healthy quality of life. If you have been experiencing pain in your lower back, arms, legs, or neck, then it may be time to consider an epidural injection.
Center for Pain Management
For more information on epidural injections as a treatment option and finding the source of your pain, contact the team at CRPM. With a team of spine specialists that have been effectively helping patients for years, we are an incredible center for pain management that offers epidural injections.
