Epidural Injections: What You Need to Know

Dr. Dimitrios Lambrou Feb 08, 2017
Chronic back pain can be a result of a number of different issues. Sports injuries can lead to spinal damage, overstraining during physical activity can tear or overstretch muscles, and general wear-and-tear can happen to anyone regardless of age. At Northeast Spine & Sports Medicine, we’re proud to serve the residents of New Jersey with effective treatments aimed at helping them live a life free from chronic pain. One such treatment is the spinal epidural injection, a common procedure that thousands of patients undergo daily to relieve pain and restore range of motion. We’ve provided spinal and joint injections to residents of Freehold, NJ, and back pain sufferers across the state. For us these procedures are routine, but for our patients they make a world of difference.  Spinal epidural injections have been in use for back pain since 1952 and have been a common procedure for nearly six decades. These injections provide pain relief but are often most effective when used in tandem with a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Epidural injections can provide pain relief for several weeks or for as long as a year in some cases. They are, however, a short-term solution to what is often a long-term problem. In contrast to medication such as oral steroids or painkillers, these injections have a focused effect on the treated area rather than a general effect on the body. They bring down inflammation restoring range of motion and allow the body to further focus on healing. The procedure rarely takes more than 15 minutes to complete and can have a patient back on his or her feet a few minutes after that. It is recommended that patients arrange for transportation to and from their appointment when receiving a spinal epidural injection, but for those who have already undergone the procedure in the past, it may not be needed. Epidural injections can be used to provide pain relief for sciatica, lumbar disc herniation, arthritis or other painful ailments. To learn more about the benefits of epidural injections, the joint injections we offer at our office in Marlboro, NJ, and all the procedures we perform at Northeast Spine & Sports Medicine, please browse our site, or give us a call at any time.