Epidural
Steroid Injections
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
NOTE: the
following information is presented for educational purposted only.
This informaiton is not Intended to represent medical advice. Please
consult with your doctor if you have only questions or concerns
regarding a medical condition or planned procedure.
1. What is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a simple, relatively painless
procedure involving the injection of a steroid medication similar
to cortisone into the epidural space , the place where nerve roots
are located. Performed by
an anesthesiologist or specialist in pain medicine,
ESI is a very safe and non-invasive technique used to relieve a
variety of painful conditions including chronic pain anywhere in
the spine.
2. How is this injection
done?
Although there are different techniques used for epidural injections,
the most common technique is with X-ray guidance. The patient is
placed on his/her stomach. The injection is done with local anesthesia
and occasionally a mild intravenous sedative. The procedure takes
about 5-10 minutes followed by a brief recovery before going home.
3. What types of conditions
will respond to Epidural Steroids?
Epidural steroids are used to treat chronic neck and back pain.
The most common conditions include herniated or bulging discs, spinal
stenosis, and pain following back surgery. Some other painful conditions
may respond to these injections such as post-herpetic neuralgia
(shingles), lumbar thoracic or cervical radiculopathy, headache
due to cervical disc disease, and neuralgia.
4. Does the injection
hurt?
The injection of local anesthetic (numbing medication) at the beginning
of the procedure may sting some, but ESI is an otherwise painless
procedure that is extremely well tolerated by adult patients ranging
in age from late teens to well over ninety years old. Upon request,
a mild sedative can be given at the beginning of the procedure to
reduce any anxiety and discomfort. The injection is performed in
our state of the art facility in Coral Springs, Florida which is
convenient to Fort Lauderdale, Margate, Pompano Beach, Lauderhill,
Tamarac and anywhere in South Florida.
5. What should I do
to prepare for my injection?
If you are taking any type of medication that can thin the blood
and cause excessive bleeding, you should discuss with your doctor
whether to discontinue this medication prior to each injection.
Examples of such medications include aspirin, plavix, Coumadin,
ticlid, lovenox and any other anti-inflammatory medications. The
American Society of Regional Anesthesia has recently determined
that it is safe for patients to continue taking normal doses of
anti-inflammatory medications or low dose aspirin prior to epidural
injections. However, you should discuss this with your doctor. On
the day of your procedure, you should not have anything to eat or
drink for four (4) hours prior to the scheduled time of the procedure.
You will be required to have a driver to take you home after the
injection.
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