Epidural Steroids for spinal stenosis

Epidural steroids are medications that doctors use to treat pain in the back and legs caused by spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. This can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the back and legs. Interventional pain physicians deliver steroids into the epidural space, which is the area around the spinal cord, through a small needle.

The goal of epidural steroid injections is to reduce inflammation and swelling around the spinal cord and nerve roots. This can help to relieve the symptoms of spinal stenosis, such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. The injections typically take only a few minutes to perform and can be done in a doctor's office or an outpatient surgery center.

Highly trained pain physicians perform the procedure for epidural steroid injection typically under local anesthesia. The patient lies face down on an exam table, and the skin and underlying tissues are numbed with a local anesthetic. Board certified pain physicians insert a small needle into the epidural space, using X-Ray guidance and the steroid medication is injected. The patient may feel a slight pressure or sting during the procedure, but the pain is minimal and well-controlled with the local anesthetic.

The effects of epidural steroid injections can vary from person to person. Some people experience significant pain relief that can last days to years, while others may only experience minimal or temporary relief. Some patients may need to have several injections to achieve optimal pain relief, while others may only need one. The number and frequency of injections will depend on the severity of the patient's symptoms and the underlying cause of the spinal stenosis.

Epidural steroid injections are considered safe, but as with any medical procedure, there are some risks and side effects. The most common side effect of epidural steroid injections is short term worsening pain. Headaches, nausea, and temporary pain or numbness in the leg have also been reported. It is important to talk to your doctor at Neuro Pain Consultants about the risks and benefits of epidural steroid injections and to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

In conclusion, epidural steroids are medications that physicians, who are specifically trained, use to treat pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness caused by spinal stenosis. The medications are delivered into the epidural space through a small needle and are designed to reduce inflammation and swelling around the spinal cord and nerve roots. The procedure is performed in a doctor's office or outpatient surgery center and is well-tolerated by patients. While epidural steroids can provide significant pain relief for some patients, the results can vary, and there is always a risk of side effects. It is important to talk one of the doctors at Neuro Pain Consultants to determine if epidural steroid injections are the right treatment option for you.

Drs. Honet, Lininger, Tsinberg, Wittenberg, Gitlin, Matway and Sikorsky are readily available and can help manage your pain needs quickly in our offices in Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Sterling Heights, St Clair Shores, West Bloomfield and all of metro Detroit.

Author

James Honet, MD James E. Honet, MD, is a highly qualified and board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Neuro Pain Consultants in Bloomfield Hills, conveniently located in the northern suburbs of Detroit’s metropolitan area, and Clarkston, located in Oakland County in southeast Michigan. His special interests include spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, acute and chronic pain, complex regional pain syndromes, and joint pain. He is very interested in cutting edge therapies. Often he is sought out to provide the newest and most exciting treatments.