Epidural Steroid Injections
Pain Management and Anesthesiology in El Paso, TX
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Epidural Steroid Injections services offered in El Paso, TX
Nearly all adults will experience at least one bout of lower back pain, but for 20% of them, that bout turns into a long-lasting and debilitating problem. If you have chronic back pain, Ali Ibrahim, MD, at Donya Pain and Wellness Center in El Paso, Texas, can help. As a pain management specialist and anesthesiologist, Dr. Ibrahim offers effective interventional treatments like epidural steroid injections. To learn if your low back pain may benefit from an epidural steroid injection, call the office or book an appointment online today.
What are epidural steroid injections?
Epidural steroid injections contain a corticosteroid, often mixed with a local anesthetic. Dr. Ibrahim injects the medications near inflamed spinal nerves in the epidural space.
The epidural space contains fat, blood vessels, and spinal nerve roots. It lies between the spinal cord and vertebrae, creating a protective cushion.
After injecting steroids into this area, the medication flows through the space, easily reaching and treating the inflamed and irritated nerves.
The anesthetic gives you fast but temporary pain relief. Steroids need a few days before they reduce inflammation. Eliminating inflammation alone eases your pain, but it also reduces swelling, taking the pressure off pinched nerves.
When would I need an epidural steroid injection?
Dr. Ibrahim may recommend an epidural steroid injection when inflamed spinal nerves cause chronic lower back pain. The injection helps ease the back pain caused by:
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Facet joint arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Thickened ligaments
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
These degenerative conditions can push against any nerve in your lower back, but one of the most common examples is sciatica. Sciatica causes excruciating pain and tingling that shoots down one leg when the sciatic nerve is pinched.
What happens during an epidural steroid injection?
When you visit Donya Pain and Wellness Center for your epidural steroid injection, you lie down on a specialized table that allows Dr. Ibrahim to create X-rays in real-time (fluoroscopy). The X-rays allow him to see your spine and guide the needle to the inflamed nerves.
After applying a local anesthetic to your skin, Dr. Ibrahim inserts a thin needle into the epidural space and first injects a dye. He uses fluoroscopic imaging to see how the dye spreads through the epidural space, making sure it reaches the targeted nerves. Then he injects the steroid and withdraws the needle.
How long will the results of an epidural steroid injection last?
Everyone metabolizes medications differently. No one can predict the amount of pain relief you may experience or how long it will last. Some people get significant relief from one injection; others may need to repeat the procedure up to three times to get the full results.
Your pain relief may last weeks, months, or even years. However, many people get significant pain relief lasting 3-6 months.
Don’t put up with chronic low back pain. Call Donya Pain and Wellness Center or book an appointment online today.