Thoracic Epidural Injections

Back problems have become one of the most common and costly medical conditions in our society today. Approximately 80 percent of adults will experience neck and back pain at some point in their lives. Often back pain results in lost work or low work productivity, loss of one’s active lifestyle and can ultimately lead to chronic pain and disability. Epidural injections are a very common treatment for neck, back and extremity pain.

The Epidural space is an area of the spine where the nerves from the spinal cord pass through on the way to their destination in the body (ie. shoulder, arm, hand, etc.) If you have disc disease, spinal stenosis, epidural fibrosis, post-laminectomy syndrome or other specific diagnoses involving the epidural space of the neck or back, then you may have epidural inflammation, swelling or pain. Epidural injections with local anesthetics and steroid medication can reduce inflammation, restore normal size of epidural nerves, wash out any build up of toxic chemicals (ie. from damaged discs) and therefore, treat the pain. 

Breaking the cycle of pain and spasm will often reset painful nerves to a more restored function, thus allowing more freedom from discomfort. Activities of daily living will be improved when the epidural is combined with all important physical therapy. The injection is minimally uncomfortable and is well tolerated by all patients. Local anesthetics with monitored anesthesia care is used for comfort. You may also receive intravenous sedation. Complications are extremely rare but may occur. You may wish to discuss these with your doctor in person. You may need one or two injections but some patients require a series of three to four injections. Occasional interval injections will be required every six to twelve months depending on your diagnosis and limitations to control pain. Nutritional supplementation coupled with wellness products may be helpful in treating this condition. Ask your doctor for a program.