Epidural steroid injections are a minimally invasive option that can provide relief for patients suffering from spinal pain and related conditions. By delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space of the spine, this treatment helps reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve mobility.
Foundation Pain & Spine PLLC is a trusted pain management clinic that offers various treatments to help patients manage and reduce chronic back pain. One of the most effective and widely used treatments is epidural steroid injections (ESI).
How Epidural Steroid Injections Work
Epidural steroid injections target the epidural space, a protective area that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. This space can become inflamed due to conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica, leading to persistent pain. By injecting a corticosteroid directly into this area, the inflammation is reduced, which, in turn, lessens the pain.
The injection typically contains a combination of a corticosteroid (to reduce inflammation) and a local anesthetic (to provide temporary pain relief). The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and usually done under local anesthesia or light sedation to ensure patient comfort.
After the injection, patients may experience relief within a few days, although in some cases, it can take up to a week for the full effects to be felt. The relief provided by epidural steroid injections can last for several weeks to months, depending on the severity of the condition and the individual’s response to treatment.
Conditions Treated with Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are an effective treatment option for a range of back and spine-related conditions. These injections are most commonly used to manage pain caused by nerve inflammation. Here are some of the key conditions that can benefit from ESI treatment:
- Herniated or bulging discs. When the soft inner material of a disc pushes through the outer layer, it can press on nerves, causing significant pain and discomfort. Epidural injections reduce the inflammation around the affected area.
- Spinal stenosis. This condition involves the narrowing of the spaces within the spine, putting pressure on the nerves and causing pain. ESIs help reduce the swelling that can lead to pain and pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Sciatica. Pain radiating from the lower back down the legs is often a result of pressure on the sciatic nerve. Epidural injections help decrease this pressure and provide relief from pain.
- Degenerative disc disease. As discs wear down over time, the vertebrae can rub together, leading to pain and discomfort. Epidural steroid injections help reduce the resulting inflammation and discomfort.
- Chronic lower back pain. For patients with chronic back pain who have not found relief from other treatments, epidural injections provide a non-surgical solution.
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
There are several reasons why patients at Foundation Pain & Spine PLLC opt for epidural steroid injections as a treatment for chronic back pain. The benefits are numerous, making this a popular choice for those seeking long-term relief.
- Non-surgical option. Epidural injections offer a minimally invasive solution that avoids the risks associated with surgery.
- Targeted pain relief. The medication is injected directly into the epidural space, ensuring the affected area receives the treatment it needs.
- Quick procedure. Most epidural injections take less than 30 minutes to complete, allowing patients to return home the same day.
- Reduced reliance on medication. By addressing the source of the pain, these injections can reduce the need for oral pain medications, which often come with side effects.
- Improved mobility. Patients who receive epidural injections often experience improved mobility and a better ability to perform daily activities.
List of Benefits at a Glance:
- Minimally invasive
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Provides long-term relief
- Improves mobility
- Reduces need for oral pain medications
Epidural steroid injections can make a significant difference for patients suffering from chronic back pain. They provide a non-surgical, effective treatment that allows individuals to return to their regular activities with less pain and better mobility.
At Foundation Pain & Spine PLLC, patients receive personalized care, and treatment plans are designed based on each person’s unique needs. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain and haven’t found relief through other methods, epidural steroid injections may be the answer you’re looking for.
Foundation Pain & Spine PLLC
8390 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75243, United States
(469) 214-5735
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