An Epidural Steroid
Injection is one of the most popular treatments elected by patients
experiencing pain at the Atlas Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, located on Park Avenue South @31st Street in Manhattan,
New York and in Millburn, New Jersey.. Epidural Steroid Injection is an injection of a very long
lasting steroid ("cortisone") in the Epidural space – that is the
area which surrounds the spinal cord and the nerves coming out of
it.
The actual epidural steroid
injection takes only a few minutes. The epidural steroid injection
consists of a mixture of local anesthetic (like lidocaine or
bupivacaine) and the steroid medication (triamcinolone – Aristocort®
or methylprednisolone – Depo-medrol®).The steroid injected reduces
the inflammation and/or swelling of nerves in the Epidural space.
This will reduce pain, tingling & numbness and other symptoms caused
by nerve inflammation / irritation or swelling.
The immediate effect of the
epidural steroid injection is usually from the local anesthetic
injected. This wears off in a few hours. Then, cortisone
starts working in about 3 to 5 days and its effect can last for
several days to a few months of being pain free.
After your injection, you
may resume your normal activities immediately following the
procedure. You may drive yourself home, although some patients are
more comfortable allowing someone else to do so. You may experience
some soreness at the epidural steroid injection site for the first
24 hours after receiving your epidural steroid injection. If so,
applying ice will help reduce your discomfort or pain medications
may be prescribed for you.
If you are interested in epidural
steroid injection to manage your pain
or treat your pain the pain management doctors of Atlas Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine of Manhattan, New York and Millburn, New Jersey would be happy to see you for a consultation and
help you learn about the treatment options available to you.
