What Is An Epidural Spinal Injection And How Does It Work?
An epidural spinal injection involves delivering anti-inflammatory medicationtypically a steroid combined with an anestheticdirectly into the area around the irritated spinal nerves that are causing the pain. This area is called the epidural space, and it surrounds the sheath-like protective membraneor durathat covers the spinal nerves and nerve roots. Steroids reduce nerve irritation by inhibiting production of the proteins that cause inflammation; the anesthetic blocks nerve conduction in the area where it’s applied, numbing the sensation of pain. An epidural spinal injection may be done either for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons: • By injecting medication around a specific nerve root, your doctor can determine if that particular nerve root is the cause of the problem. • When administered for therapeutic reasons, a spinal epidural injection may provide long- or short-term relief, anywhere from a week to several months. In some instances, an epidural spinal injection may break the c
