Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injection in the Cervical Spine
If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic numbness, tingling or pain in their shoulders, arms and/or hands, there’s a chance it could be related to a nerve problem in the neck. One of the more common treatments that can offer relief for these symptoms is an epidural steroid injection. To help our patients better understand this option, our clinic pain doctor in Brevard, NC (locations also in 11 additional Asheville-area locations) has written a short guide to its benefits. Read on to learn more.
What is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
This treatment is specifically designed to treat the pain of an inflamed nerve in the cervical spine (neck) area. Inflamed or compressed nerves in this area can radiate down into the shoulders, arms and hands, causing several chronic issues. The medications in the injection are created to relieve nerve swelling.
Chronic Pain Benefits
Epidural steroid injections can have many benefits. They may help an injury to heal by reducing inflammation. It may also provide permanent relief [or provide a period of pain relief for several months] while the injury/cause of pain is healing.
Some of the cervical conditions that epidural steroid injections may help include the following:
Herniated disks
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative disk disease
Shoulder, arm and/or hand pain
Osteoarthritis
If you are looking for help from a qualified pain doctor in Brevard, NC, (locations also in 11 additional Asheville-area locations) CPC can help. We specialize in treating a variety of chronic pain conditions with comprehensive, non-invasive options.
What to Expect
Prior to receiving any kind of treatment, the patient will be thoroughly assessed by a chronic pain specialist. This will include a physical examination, evaluation of health history and any test deemed necessary. If, after completing this assessment, the care team recommends an epidural steroid injection, the scheduling team will coordinate a time with the patient.
Patient is positioned on their stomach so the spine can be viewed under x-ray
Injection site is prepped and cleaned
Physician numbs a small area of skin with numbing medicine
A needle is carefully inserted into the epidural space
The mixture of numbing medicine (local anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory (steroid) is injected
A doctor will go over the patient’s unique pre-surgical requirements prior to the day of the procedure. These will vary depending on other co-existing conditions, medications and a few other factors. It is generally recommended that a driver should accompany the patient and be responsible for getting them home. For more information on what to expect, view this CPC video on epidural steroid injection in the cervical spine.
Risks & Follow Up Care
Since this is considered a safe, non-invasive procedure, there are very few risks to be concerned about. The following are a few of the possible complications that may occur:
Infection
Nerve damage
Negative/allergic reaction to the medication
Possible bleeding
Stroke (rare)
There are no restrictions to food or liquid intake or to activity level unless specified by the physician. A follow-up appointment will be made for a repeat block if indicated. These injections are usually done in a series of three, about one month apart. The back or legs may rarely feel weak or numb for a few hours. Patients may return to their normal activities on the day of the procedure. To learn more, visit CPC’s dedicated epidural steroid injection treatment page.
Pain Clinic in Brevard NC
Our pain management doctors in Murphy, NC are accepting new patients. We welcome patients with back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, diabetic pain, arthritis, shingles, autoimmune diseases, joint pain, headaches, migraines and more. We offer a full suite of treatment options and an incredible team of pain specialists who will treat you like family. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.