What is an epidural injection and why is it helpful?
An epidural injection places anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space to stop inflammation of the nerve roots, therefore hopefully reducing the pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms. By stopping or limiting nerve root inflammation we may be able to reduce your pain. The epidural injection may assist the injury to heal by reducing inflammation. Although not always helpful it usually reduces pain and improves function in the majority of cases within 3-7 days. It may provide permanent relief or provide a period of pain relief that will allow other treatments like physical therapy to be more effective. We hope it will reduce your pain during the next several months while the injury/cause of your pain is healing. What will happen to me during the procedure? First an IV is started so that you may be given medicine for relaxation if you so desire. Next, while lying face down on a x-ray table your skin will be well cleaned. The physician will numb a small area of skin in the back of
