12 Jun Can an Epidural Steroid Injection Relieve Chronic Back Pain?
An ESI or Epidural Steroid Injection is a highly effective pain management option for chronic low back, leg, arm, and neck pain. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which a steroid, along with a numbing agent or anesthetic, is injected directly into the epidural space of the spine.
Depending on where the patient is experiencing pain, the injection is positioned at a specific spot in the spine to directly target the affected nerve roots. The injection reduces inflammation and pain, and thereby improves function for the patient. Most patients feel relief within a few days and the relief may last up to a few years.
Who is a good candidate for an ESI?
ESIs are extremely beneficial for people with painful inflammatory conditions, such as sciatica, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs and spinal stenosis. The epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive, interventional procedure that can also help to determine whether surgery is necessary in one of these conditions. An ESI may provide pain relief to an extent that patients can undergo physical therapy that may have been too painful otherwise.
Consult with your pain doctor to check whether an ESI would be beneficial for you. Patients with diabetes and those who are taking blood-thinners may be asked to stop taking these medications a few days before the procedure.
What does an ESI procedure involve?
The ESI is an outpatient procedure that takes between 15-45 minutes. The patient is awake during the procedure, although they may be given a local anesthetic. They can resume normal activity the next day but they can expect a little soreness and/or swelling at the injection site. Discuss your concerns with your doctor as well as any other questions about the effectiveness of the injection.
If you are looking for the best pain management doctors, internal medicine doctors, call Pacific Medical Care at 619-333-8114 Today. All you have to do is make a phone call and the doctor will be at your doorstep within a short while! The San Diego internal medicine doctors at Pacific Medical Care are Board Certified, highly skilled, compassionate and knowledgeable.
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