Epidural injections are commonly known as epidural anesthesia, epidural blocks, epidural steroid injections, regional anesthesia, and neuraxial anesthesia. They are a method commonly used to alleviate pain or induce numbness in specific areas of the body. It is accomplished by injecting medication directly into the space surrounding the spinal nerves, also called the epidural space. This medication is either an injectable anesthetic or a steroid. Anesthetics are administered to remove the sensation of feeling while steroids are used to lessen pain.

Once injected, the medication in the epidural space works to block pain signals from your spine to your brain. The epidural space around the nerves is filled with liquid, think of it as a protective liquid sleeve around the spinal nerves. Your spine is like a highway for information, where signals from parts of your body travel along the spine, which relays the message to your brain. The anesthetic may block signals from specific parts of the body depending on where the medicine was injected.

Epidural injections have many different applications, so it is important to determine your eligibility. For example, epidural injections can be administered to offer pain relief for those undergoing labor or childbirth. It is also commonly used to replace general anesthesia in certain surgical procedures or offered as pain relief after surgery. Another key use of epidural injection is to manage chronic pain in specific parts of the body. This is achievable through the use of steroid injections. Other examples for when epidural injection may be favorable include, when a spine disc slips out of place or when a spinal nerve is trapped.

Depending on the reason for the epidural, there may be different methods for how the medication is delivered. There will also be different medication types depending on the desired result.

Although many benefits come with epidural injections, it must be noted that there are possible risks associated with them as well. The main benefits that are highlighted with any type of epidural injection are pain relief or numbness in the targeted area. These result from the direct application of the medication. Pain relief offered by these injections will also vary from case to case, while some may experience temporary pain relief, others can have permanent pain relief over a long period of time. Managing the pain can improve your quality of life overall, tasks previously deemed difficult will presently seem easier with the help of an epidural injection. For those who have multiple sources of pain, an epidural injection can help diagnose the origin of certain pains in specific areas or body parts. Additionally, epidural steroids can reduce the need for far more invasive procedures of pain management.

As mentioned, getting an epidural injection does pose certain risks. Some of these risks include severe headaches due to spinal fluid loss, infection, allergic reactivity, bleeding, nerve damage, and lightheadedness. These are only some of the many complications that may occur as a result of an epidural injection. It is always important to note the possible risks before getting into this procedure as no procedure is without risks.

Epidural injections often vary in longevity due to several factors. For example, the type of steroid used may affect longevity as some steroids simply last longer than others. However, as a general rule of thumb, epidural injections will last about one year on average. The placement of the needle during the injection is also a factor that may play into this length of time. Ultrasound is typically utilized to help guide the needle so that the correct amount of medication gets to the correct areas of the epidural space. Finally, the overall severity of the pain you had will be a determining factor in how long the injection lasts too. You may notice the efficacy of the injection beginning to wear off after a few months as pain can gradually return over time.

Specialty Medical Center is a medical center that prides itself on patient care and its rehabilitation services. Our primary focus is developing a customized treatment plan unique to each patient’s needs. Visit us today to get comprehensive care. We serve patients from Sterling Heights MI, Dearborn MI, Detroit MI, Birmingham MI, Allen Park MI, Warren MI, and BEYOND!