Joint-Friendly Workouts to Ease Arthritis Pain and Stiffness
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and it's the perfect time to inject new life into your workouts. Here are some moves that make it easier to move.
Top 3 Things to Know About Epidural Steroid Injection
The nerves in your body have a complex job to do. They send sensory information to the brain and maintain two-way communication. Sometimes the nerves in certain areas can become irritated and send constant pain signals to the brain. When this happens, Dr. Yanamadula can deliver a steroid injection to interfere with the pain signals and provide relief.
Epidural steroid injections are most commonly used to provide relief from chronic low back pain. Princeton Pain and Spine Institute, Dr. Dinash Yanamadula and the rest of our team can help you manage your back-related back pain to provide fast and effective relief.
What is an epidural steroid injection?
An epidural steroid injection delivers powerful anti-inflammatory medication to the outermost space of the spinal canal. You may have heard of the pain-relieving shot given during labor. However, it’s important to know that an epidural steroid injection is not the same as an epidural shot given during labor and delivery.
The injection does not go into the spinal cord itself. Your spinal cord and nerves are protected in a sac of clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. The epidural space is the area outside of the sac.
Epidural steroid injections take only a few minutes. Dr. Yanamadula will inject a local anesthetic through a small needle to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
Medication used
The procedure begins with a local anesthetic, which immediately provides numbing and pain relief. Lidocaine or bupivacaine are the most common medications used for local anesthesia. Dr. Yanamadula may also use local anesthesia to help verify the nerve that is causing problems to ensure that the steroid is injected in the right area. When the local anesthetic wears off, the steroid medication begins to take effect.
Steroids used for epidural injections are not the same as those taken to increase muscle and strength. Dr. Yanamadula will use a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, betamethasone or methylprednisolone. These are corticosteroids. Your body uses these steroid hormones for various purposes. Corticosteroids play a major role in reducing inflammation.
Where are epidural steroids injected?
The epidural space runs the length of your spinal canal, making it possible to inject medication into various areas along this route. The neck and lower back are the most common injection sites. Less commonly, epidural steroid injections are delivered through the upper back or bottom of the spine. Dr. Yanamadula will determine the best area to place your injection. Your safety is the number one priority. The placement of the steroid injection is meant to provide the safest and most effective route.
Relief with epidural steroid injections
Chronic back pain can have a significant impact on your daily life and make it difficult for you to carry out your regular activities. Epidural steroid injections can provide fast, lasting pain relief. Many patients experience pain relief for several months and, in some cases, years.
To learn more about back pain management with epidural steroid injections, call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Yanamadula, or book your request online at your convenience.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Why Pain Sustained During an Auto Collision is Often Delayed
You hear the brakes screeching, the wheels skidding, and the metal crunching — then everything stops. You’re thankful to be alive, and surprisingly, you have no pain — yet. Here’s why the pain may set in later and what you can do about it.
Why Does My Neck Feel Stiff and Achy in the Morning?
You went to bed feeling fine but awoke with a pain in your neck. It’s a common problem shared by many. Here’s why it happens and what you can do about it.
Are There Different Types of Headaches?
No one gets through life without at least one headache, and most experience several — but they aren’t all the same. In fact, there are more than 150 distinct types, making it tough to know how to treat them. Here’s how to differentiate them.
Understanding Your Treatment Options for Sciatica
Sciatica — that shocking pain that travels from your lower back through your hips and down your leg — can stop you in your tracks. Here’s an overview of the most effective approaches to get you back in action.
Treating Your Arthritis with Physical Therapy
You’ve always known about arthritis, but you never truly knew arthritis until it hit you. Now, you realize how little you know and are searching for treatments. Surprisingly, physical therapy is your best bet — here’s why.