| EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION |
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What is the procedure?
The procedure is performed with you lying on your stomach
on an x-ray table. In some instances, you may have an intravenous
line inserted to provide you with extra fluid sand sedation.
Your back will be “prepped” with an antiseptic
iodine solution and a sterile plastic drape will be placed
over your back. The skin area to be injected will first be
anesthetized through a very tiny needle. The epidural needle
will then be introduced through this anesthetized skin. As
the needle is slowly advanced into the epidural space under
x-ray guidance, it is rare to feel any pain. Once the space
is identified by the physiatrist (which may take anywhere
from 30 seconds to several minutes), contrast dye is injected
for confirmation of placement and the medication is slowly
injected over 2-3 minutes, or less. The entire procedure usually
takes less than 10 minutes. You will be given something to
eat and drink in the recovery are. Discharge instructions
will be given to you. It is advised that you rest for a few
hours post procedure. You can resume normal activities the
following day.
Immediately after the
procedure.
After the procedure, you may first notice a decrease or disappearance
of your back or leg pain. Within 10-15 minutes you may feel
a mild numbness or heaviness in your legs and lower trunk.
This is occasionally associated with a mild lowering of blood
pressure. You will continue to be monitored for 30 minutes
after the injection. Shortly thereafter, you will be allowed
to walk with a nurse and as soon as you feel stable walking
alone you will be able to go home.
What should I expect the next days after
the procedure?
As the local anesthetic wears off, your pain may return, although
frequently not to the level it was before, and you may notice
discomfort at the injection site. The steroid itself may take
2-4 days to take effect on the inflammation around the nerve,
and therefore may take that long to help your pain. You should
see your doctor 4-7 days after the injection to discuss your
progress and future therapy.
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