Chronic back or neck pain can severely impact your quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. If you are struggling with persistent pain, epidural steroid injections may offer relief.
Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a type of minimally invasive treatment used to relieve pain caused by inflammation in the spine. These injections target the epidural space—the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots—where the steroid medication is injected.
The goal of ESIs are to reduce inflammation in this area, alleviating pressure on the nerves and providing relief from pain.
ESIs are commonly used to treat pain that originates from spinal conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. The relief provided by these injections can range from temporary to long-lasting, depending on the individual’s condition and response to treatment.
What Is The Purpose of Epidural Steroid Injections?
The main purpose of epidural steroid injections is to provide pain relief by reducing inflammation in the affected areas of the spine. ESIs are particularly beneficial for patients experiencing:
Sciatica: Pain radiating down the leg caused by nerve irritation.
Herniated discs: A condition where the soft tissue inside the disc bulges out, putting pressure on nearby nerves.
Spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerves.
Degenerative disc disease: Wear and tear on spinal discs leading to nerve pain.
Spondylolisthesis: When a vertebra slips out of place, pinching the nerves.
By alleviating inflammation, epidural steroid injections can improve mobility, reduce pain, and allow patients to engage in physical therapy or other rehabilitative activities more comfortably.
What Are the Types of Epidural Steroid Injections?
There are three main types of epidural steroid injections based on where the injection is administered in the spine:
Interlaminar Epidural Injection: The medication is injected between two vertebrae, allowing it to spread over a larger area of the spine.
Transforaminal Epidural Injection: The injection is directed into the area where the nerve exits the spine (the foraminal space), making it more targeted to the specific nerve causing the pain.
Caudal Epidural Injection: The medication is injected at the base of the spine, often used to treat pain that radiates down the legs.
Your doctor will determine which type of injection is most appropriate for your condition based on the source of your pain.
What Are the Benefits or Risks of Epidural Steroid Injections?
Benefits:
Pain relief: Many patients experience significant pain relief following an epidural steroid injection, which can last for weeks or even months.
Improved mobility: With reduced pain, patients can move more freely and comfortably.
Minimally invasive: The procedure is quick, typically taking 15 to 30 minutes, and requires no hospital stay.
Helps avoid surgery: For some patients, epidural steroid injections can delay or even eliminate the need for spinal surgery.
Risks: Although epidural steroid injections are generally considered safe, there are some risks, including:
Infection: As with any injection, there is a small risk of infection at the injection site.
Bleeding: Patients on blood thinners or with certain medical conditions may be at higher risk of bleeding.
Temporary pain increase: Some patients may experience a temporary increase in pain before the full benefits of the injection are felt.
Nerve damage: While rare, there is a small risk of nerve injury during the procedure.
Your healthcare provider will carefully review your medical history and discuss any potential risks before proceeding with the treatment.
How Do Epidural Steroid Injections Work? What Do I Need to Prepare?
Epidural steroid injections work by delivering a combination of corticosteroids and a local anaesthetic directly into the epidural space. The corticosteroids help reduce inflammation, while the anaesthetic provides temporary pain relief. Together, they alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves and help reduce pain signals sent to the brain.
ESIs are considered minimally invasive, low-risk procedures.
Preparation:
Avoid taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin or ibuprofen before the procedure, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing for the procedure.
Ensure you have someone to drive you home after the injection, as some patients may feel drowsy afterward.
It’s important to inform your doctor of any allergies or medical conditions prior to the procedure.
What Should I Expect During and After Epidural Steroid Injections?
During the procedure, you will be positioned on an examination table. The injection site will be sterilised, and a local anaesthetic will be applied to numb the area. Using ultrasound guidance, the doctor will insert a needle into the epidural space and inject the medication. You may feel slight pressure or discomfort during the injection, but the procedure is usually quick and well-tolerated.
The doctor will infuse the medication into your epidural space for efficient and effective pain relief.
After the procedure, you may experience some numbness or tingling in the injected area for a few hours. Most patients can resume normal activities the next day, although strenuous activities should be avoided for a few days. Pain relief may be immediate for some, while others may notice improvement over the next few days or weeks.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s post-procedure instructions carefully and report any unusual symptoms, such as severe pain, fever, or infection at the injection site.If you’re considering epidural steroid injections, it’s essential to consult with an experienced healthcare provider – book a consultation with Dr Charles Siow to learn more about how this treatment can help you regain your quality of life.
Contact Us
MT ALVERNIA HOSPITAL
820 Thomson Road #08-59 Medical Centre D Singapore 574623
