An epidural injection provides relief from pain or inflammation in the spine or extremities. The epidural space is the outermost part of the spinal canal and injection will typically deliver steroids, anesthetics, and anti-inflammatory medications. The injection can induce some swelling in and around the spinal nerve roots, as well as any damaged roots.

Who is a candidate for Epidural injections?

Patients with pain in the neck, arm, low back, or leg (sciatica) may benefit from epidural injections. Specifically, those with the following conditions:

• Spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal and nerve root canal can cause back and leg pain, especially when walking.
• Spondylolisthesis: A weakness or fracture between the upper and lower facets of a vertebra. If the vertebra slips forward, it can compress the nerve roots causing pain.
• Herniated disc: The gel-like material within the disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the surrounding wall (annulus). Irritation, pain, and swelling occur when this material squeezes out and comes in contact with a spinal nerve.
• Degenerative disc: A breakdown or aging of the intervertebral disc causing collapse of the disc space, tears in the annulus, and growth of bone spurs.
• Sciatica: Pain that courses along the sciatic nerve in the buttocks and down the legs. It is usually caused by compression of the 5th lumbar or 1st sacral spinal nerve