Epidural injections work by inserting a needle into the spine and injecting medication directly into the area surrounding the spinal nerve roots, numbing the nerves. This type of injection works best on patients experiencing back or leg pain caused by pinched nerves.
The injections are used to treat cases where other therapies like physical therapy or oral pain medication have failed to relieve. Epidural injections help about 80% of patients that respond well to traditional physical therapy and oral medications. Still, if the patient does not respond well, a repeat injection is not likely to be successful. If you are suffering from a pain condition, a New Jersey Epidural Injections specialist can determine if you are a candidate for this treatment. Here are some conditions you can treat with epidural injections:
Disc Herniation
A herniated disc is when the soft, gel-like core of the spinal disc pushes through a crack or tear in its surrounding outer ring. This can pressure nearby nerves and cause pain, tingling, numbness, and other symptoms. Sciatica is when these symptoms are localized to one area (the leg or foot). Sciatica is most often caused by tension or inflammation on the nerve, which causes pain to travel down the leg.
Epidural injections are used to diagnose and treat herniated discs in patients with persistent back pain who don’t respond well to traditional therapies like physical therapy and medications. An injection of steroid medication helps reduce inflammation and pain.
Facet Joint Arthritis
The facet joints are two small, L-shaped joints that connect the back bones (vertebrae). If these joints become worn out or damaged, they can cause pain and inflammation around the spine. An epidural injection reduces swelling and stiffness around the affected joint, which reduces pressure on nearby nerves.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a type of back and leg pain caused by compression or irritation of the five nerves in the sciatic nerve family. When one of these nerves is compressed, it can cause pain to spread down the leg and into the foot. Symptoms generally include pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg.
Epidural injections help to provide relief for patients with sciatica by placing an injection of steroid medication directly into the area surrounding the sciatic nerve, which reduces pain and inflammation around the compression site.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine where nerves travel become narrowed, which leads to pressure on the nerves. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs and feet.
An epidural injection helps reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on nearby nerves.
Degenerative Disk Disease
Degenerative disk disease is when the cushioning cartilage between the vertebrae begins to break down, causing bones to rub against one another. If these bones rub together, they can cause pain and inflammation.
An epidural injection helps reduce pressure on nearby nerves by injecting a corticosteroid medication into the area surrounding the affected disc.
In summary, epidural injections have become a standard treatment for various pain conditions. It can help relieve pain caused by sciatica, degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, facet joint arthritis, and disc herniation.