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Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
Effective in helping to relieve back pain which radiates either
in the buttocks or down the leg.
Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) provide pain relief and diagnostic data by injecting local anesthetic
and anti-inflammatory steroid medications into the spinal area surrounding your spinal nerves. This pain is typically
caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal known as Spinal Stenosis or by disk herniations which
press on nerve roots.
Spinal Stenosis and disk bulges cause irritation and inflammation
of the nerves which leads to the pain that shoots down a patients leg. By carefully advancing a very small needle
under xray guidance into the region of the inflamed and irritated nerve, the numbing medication and a steroid can
be injected which will ultimately relieve the inflammation and help the patients back pain. The steroids delivered
directly to the painful area helps decrease the inflammation that may be causing the pain.
This procedure may reduce inflammation, resulting in pain relief
and also provides further information on the source of your pain.
How is it Perormed?
You will be awake throughout the procedure. Dr. Niedzwiecki will position
a thin needle in your spine, guided by a fluoroscope (x-ray) connected to a television monitor. X-ray contrast
material will then be injected and x-rays will be taken. The medications will be injected next, which may create
a pressure sensation.
You may experience numbness and/or relief from your symptoms for
up to six hours after the injection.
The beneficial effects of the steroids usually require 2-3 days
to take
effect.
What Results Can I Expect?
Many patients will find long lasting relief after these injections. Unfortunately, the disk bulge and spinal
stenosis in some patients may be so severe that the relief may not be long lasting. It is however helpful to undergo
an epidural steroid injection, since some relief is obtained, and it can help the surgeon determine whether surgery
will ultimately be helpful or not.
Remember, Epidural Steroid Injections are used to alleviate chronic
low back and/or leg pain. Although the effects of the injection tend to be temporary - providing relief from pain
for one week up to one year - an epidural can be very beneficial for patients during an episode of severe back
pain. Patients seem to have a better response when the injections are coupled with an organized therapeutic exercise
program.
Today, epidural steroid injections have become an integral part
of non-surgical management of low back pain.
Where do I Call for a Consultation?
Please Call
us TODAY at 727-791-7300 if you have any questions.
We're looking forward to helping you .
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