Epidural Steroid Injections: What You Should Know

Dr. Andrew McNeil of Peninsula Pain Clinic explains epidural steroid injections for treating chronic pain conditions like sciatica.
Epidural steroid injections are injections of local anesthetic and steroid medication into the epidural space. The epidural space is located in the spine just outside the membrane that covers the spinal cord and nerve roots. This membrane is called the dural membrane. Nerves travel through the epidural space to the back and into the legs. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain in these regions due to irritation from a damaged disc or from contact with the bony structures of the spine.
“The SI joints are very small, but they absorb a lot of shock and experience significant wear and tear as we age. An SI joint injection is almost always performed with fluoroscopy (x-ray) image guidance. This allows the doctor to view the Si joints as they guide the needle to it. It is of the utmost importance that the needle is in the appropriate place before the injection occurs, otherwise, your doctor might rules out SI joint dysfunction as the cause of your pain when the injection does not provide relief. The solution injected into the SI joint is a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid. This will reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for several months. The entire procedure lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, followed by a brief recovery time. Most patients experience pain relief after only one or two injections. It is never recommended that patients receive more than three injections in a six-month time frame.” - Treatingpain Contact your Sound Pain clinic to learn if SI injections are right for you.
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[@TheEDNC]

Ask the doctor if ESI’s are FDA approved for safety and efficacy? … because they’re not approved… Run if he/she says they are.

[@shreyestandel4491]

Many things are not fda approved,amytryptilline is not approved for neuropathic pain, but it has been used for neuropathic pain since decades, and provides good relief

[@alecks999998]

40% of procedures are not FDA approved

[@debikierstead9218]

This did nothing for my chronic back pain. A Rhizotomy did the fix. Don't need steroids from epidural. They jack you up

[@MythsAndChronicles]

Hey, suffering from chronic low back pain for 8 months. Did your pain come back after Rhizotomy? What's the risk involved with Rhizotomy?

[@TheEDNC]

@@MythsAndChronicles The potential risks of rhizotomy include increased pain, deep severe infections, stroke, paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and spinal accessory nerve injury leading to trapezius or sternocleidomastoid weakening. Superficial skin infections over the injection site can also occur. Damage to surrounding blood vessels and nerves during needle insertion resulting in excessive bleeding and/or irreversible neurologic damage causing long-term numbness and tingling can also occur. Vetting & Choosing the right doctor is paramount!