Should You Consider an Epidural Injection for Your Back Pain?
About 80% of people suffer back pain at some point in their lives. It’s a common complaint, and unfortunately, the causes behind it are complex — and finding treatment isn’t always easy.
It’s true that some back pain episodes heal on their own. But when that pain lasts weeks, months, or longer, it becomes chronic. Chronic back pain can limit your life, and it’s not unusual to find that many common treatments aren’t effective enough.
Our team at Southern Oregon Orthopedics can help. Our orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive spine exams to diagnose your pain, and a range of treatment options to provide that much-needed relief. When to consider an epidural for back pain
At Southern Oregon Orthopedics, your spinal treatment plan starts with an evaluation. Our team reviews your medical history, performs an exam, and asks about your symptoms. We may order diagnostic imaging or other tests to reach a diagnosis.
We develop a treatment plan based on your diagnosis, your health, and a number of other factors. For mild to moderate pain, we typically begin by recommending non-invasive treatment, like physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, or oral medication.
If you have radiating pain in your arms or legs, or if other treatments don’t deliver adequate pain relief, you might be a candidate for epidural injections. Epidural injections are minimally invasive, and they deliver more powerful medication directly to your spine.
Our team might recommend an epidural if you have:
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Radiculopathy
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
An epidural injection can treat inflammation, swelling, and a range of nerve problems that affect your spine and other parts of your body. Getting an epidural injection for back pain
Epidural steroid injections for back pain combine a local anesthetic with a corticosteroid. The local anesthetic starts providing pain relief right away, and the corticosteroid offers longer-lasting relief.
If you choose to get an epidural for your back pain, we administer the injection on an outpatient basis. The procedure takes under an hour, you’re observed for about 15-20 minutes, and then you’re free to go home.
You lie down on an X-ray table, and our team prepares your skin for the injection. Then, your doctor inserts a needle into the epidural space of your spine, using X-ray imaging to achieve precise placement.
The injection itself takes just a few moments. You need to remain still, but it shouldn’t be painful. Once you’re released from the office, you should begin noticing the effects of the injection. The corticosteroid may take a few days to start working, and the pain relief you experience can last up to several months.
Chronic back pain doesn’t have to limit your life. Find out if you’re a good candidate for epidural injection with a consultation at Southern Oregon Orthopedics. Call our offices in Medford, or Grants Pass, Oregon, or schedule an appointment online today.