An epidural is an injection administered in the back to relieve lower back and leg pain and make childbirth less painful. The injection happens in the epidural space, surrounding your spinal cord and nerve roots. New Jersey Epidural Injections may assist in managing chronic pains and minimize pain and inflammation during and after a surgical procedure.
Before going for the injection, your doctor will familiarize you with the right way of preparing and how to recover accordingly. For instance, you may be required to avoid drinking or eating anything, hours to an epidural. That may help prevent the possibility of a stomach upset.
The injection equipment
Your doctor will use a needle and syringe, such as the one used during vaccination. The medication used will depend on the patient’s individual needs, the underlying issue, and the knowledge and preference of the physician.
There may also be a need to use an imaging system like computerized tomography. The images captured are vital to the doctor to administer the injection in the appropriate area causing pain.
How the epidural procedure works
The steroids injected usually act as an agent that discourages inflammation. Consequently, the inflammation and irritation of the nerves are reduced, giving sufficient time for the healing and recovery of nerves. Thus, you will not feel uncomfortable.
When there is an injection, the medication travels freely inside the epidural space, creating an environment that reduces the ability of the nerve roots to remain swelling and irritated.
For that reason, an injection administered in your lower back (lumbar) may help minimize pain originating from the lower back. Likewise, a neck injection will relieve pain from the nerve roots in the cervical space and pain in your arms.
The effect of the procedure varies depending on the patient. It may be possible for you to benefit from a lasting effect. For other patients, pain relief may only last for a few days, weeks, or months. If the pain reoccurs, that will warrant another round of injections.
Benefits of epidural injections
Reduction of nerve swelling and pain
Steroids injected into your neck or lower back can reduce the creation of chemicals that trigger inflammation. Also, nerve fibers are made to be less sensitive to pain and thus generate a small number of pain signals.
Eliminate or reduce oral medications
If you belong in the category of people who would rather have an injection, then you may not take or take fewer oral medications.
Some oral medications are known to come with lots of severe side effects, especially when you take them for long.
Eliminate or delay surgery
When you take epidural injections and receive a long-lasting effect, you may not need to undergo surgery. The procedure should be accompanied by physical therapy.
Even with the potential benefits of epidural injections, understand that the procedure may not be suitable for everyone. The treatment is not ideal if you are allergic to anesthesia medications, prone to infections, experience blood clots, or suffer from out-of-control diabetes.
Contact New Jersey Pain, Spine, and Sports Associates today to learn how you can benefit from epidural injections.
