Using this location allows for the injection of a steroid close to the nerve root, which can help to reduce swelling in this area and bring relatively long-term relief when properly paired with exercise and therapy. Instead of simply going into the nerve canal, though, the shot goes to an opening on the side of the spine known as the foramen. Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injectionĪs you might be able to tell from the name, this type of injection takes place in the same general part of the back as above. In this case, the injection is used to treat pain in either the leg or the lower back. The procedure for the injection does tend to be brief and it is guided by advanced X-Ray imaging called fluoroscopy, as are all spinal injections. The injection is given in the epidural space in order to reach the nerve canal, the region of the back that is the location of the pinched nerve in question. This region, called the lumbar region, can often be the site of pinched or compressed nerves. This type of epidural injection takes place in the lower back.
Each, however, is valuable in its own right. Some of these injections are used as diagnostic tools on the part of the physicians who treat the patient, while others are used simply as tools to help bring pain relief. The various types of epidural injections help to treat specific causes of nerve pain and also help to deal with pain in specific parts of the back and neck. Individuals who make use of this type of injection tend to suffer from nerve pain, which can express itself not only in the upper and lower back but also in the neck. This space is in proximity to spinal discs and nerve roots, and using injections in the area makes for an ideal way to treat a variety of different types of pain. They take place exactly where the name of the procedure indicates - in the epidural space. Each of these injections differ in the type of pain they are used to treat and the location in which the injection is made, but they all work to relieve the pain of those who might otherwise have few options to relieve their suffering.Įpidural Spinal Steroid Injections for Back PainĮpidural spinal injections for back pain are common outpatient procedures. These treatment options include epidural spinal steroid injections for back and neck pain, selective nerve root blocks, facet joint injections, and sacroiliac joint injections. The various types of spinal injections discussed below are used to treat specific conditions, to diagnose certain types of spinal injuries or damage, and to help both doctors and patients get a better handle on back health.
From spinal injections for degenerative disc disease to injections to treat sciatica, they can play a significant role in increasing an individual's quality of life. When combined with a physical rehabilitation regimen, they can provide a long-term solution for back or neck pain. They are rarely the only type of treatment used, but they do tend to bring immediate relief to patients who might be in desperate need of it. These spinal injections are usually part of a two-pronged system, used both for the diagnosis of specific back issues and also for the treatment of those same issues. There are several different spinal injections available for individuals, each of which have their own unique benefits. Before you seek out these injections, though, it's important that you understand what they are and how they can work for you. They can provide the type of relief that lasts for days or even months, giving those who suffer from significant back problems the freedom to lead their lives without the specter of back pain hanging over them. Spinal injections are among the most popular treatments for back pain.