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"I went here for a short while. I had to get 3 Lumbar Epidural Steroid injections. It was painless and quick. I know once they were extremely busy that I waited about...
About Steroid Injections
Tricity Pain Associates in Texas has helped thousands of men and women who suffer from chronic pain in their joints, lower back, neck, legs, and muscles. Although surgical procedures are widely available to treat chronic pain, in many cases, patients prefer a minimally invasive approach to help ease and manage their condition. For this reason, our caring team of specialists is proud to offer epidural steroid injections (ESI) as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of chronic pain. ESI is a type of anti-inflammatory medication that is injected near or around the pain site. It may be performed to relieve the discomfort that is caused by certain medical conditions, such as arthritis, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, or a herniated disc. If you or your loved one is experiencing constant pain in any area of the body that hasn't been relieved by over-the-counter medication, it may be time to see a healthcare professional to get the personalized care you need to improve your condition. Reach out to one of our offices in Texas today to schedule a private consultation.
Ideal Candidate for ESI
Individuals who are suffering from long-term discomfort in their muscles, joints, and ligaments are ideal candidates for epidural steroid injections, especially those who have a narrow spine, disc degeneration, facet joint fracture, and sciatica. ESI has also been proven to help decrease debilitating symptoms that are interfering with physical therapy. Typically, patients can receive an ESI and continue with their physical therapy with much better success and less pain. However, ESI may not be for everyone and should not be performed on patients who are pregnant, allergic to lidocaine, have an infection, or on those who have bleeding disorders.
Types of ESI
An ESI consists of both a corticosteroid or anti-inflammatory medication (like triamcinolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone) and a numbing agent. The formula is carefully and precisely injected into the epidural section of the spine, which is the space between the bone and the protective sac surrounding the nerves. There are several different types of ESI, including:
- Cervical: This particular ESI is used to treat pain that is designated in the neck, shoulders, and arms. The medication is injected into the neural foramen of the spine.
- Lumbar: This ESI is used to address lower back and leg pain and is also known as a transforaminal injection because it is injected from the side.
- Caudal: This ESI is administered to target pain that resides in the tailbone or lowest portion of the spine. This can help alleviate sciatica or pain that radiates down the hips, buttocks, thighs, and legs. Injections are placed in the sacral hiatus.
What to Expect?
At the start of your procedure, we will have you lie flat on your stomach and prep the injection areas with a local anesthetic to help make you as comfortable as possible. We may also include a sedative to help keep you calm and relaxed. A live x-ray or fluoroscopy will be used to monitor the accurate placement of the needle. As the medication is injected, patients will generally feel a little pressure. After your procedure, you will be monitored for a short time and released to go home. You may experience soreness around the injection site, but most patients are able to walk. We do recommend that you have a friend or family member with you to drive you home. Any soreness or mild discomfort can be eased with a cold compress. We encourage patients to make note of their improvement and pain levels in a journal to help determine if another injection is necessary to bring greater relief. Secondary treatments are generally spaced 1 – 4 weeks apart. The longevity of your results will vary, but some patients experience relief for weeks or even years.
Treat Chronic Pain woth ESI
No one wants to live their lives in constant pain. Our caring specialists are here to help you identify your condition and determine the right solution for your discomfort. An epidural steroid injection helps reduce inflammation and swelling of the spinal nerve roots so you can perform everyday activities without excruciating pain. Contact Tricity Pain Associates in Texas to schedule a private consultation to learn more about ESI and other minimally invasive treatments we offer.