What is the Epidural Space?
The dura is the membrane that covers the spinal cord and the nerve roots in your spine. The space surrounding the dura is the epidural space. Nerves travel through the epidural space to your back and into your arms and legs. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain due to irritation from a damaged disc or from contact with the bony structure of the spine in some way. What is an Epidural Injection? An epidural injection is a specialized procedure given by the Pain physician. The injection places anti-inflammatory medication (steroid) into the epidural space to decrease inflammation of the nerve roots, hopefully reducing the pain in your back, arms, or legs. It may provide a period of pain relief of several weeks or months. Some patients get permanent relief. The injection may also assist in the diagnosis of certain pain syndromes. What will happen to me during the procedure? The actual procedure may take 15-20 minutes. The location of the injection will depend on the location of
