Epidural Injection
to Treat Sciatic Nerve Pain in Los Angeles
Atlas Pain Management specializes in epidural injection— Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection, Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection and Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection— to treat and manage lower back pain, leg pain and other sciatic nerve pain. When you have failed conservative therapies, epidural injections are the next step to treat chronic pain commonly caused by sciatica. They are administered to decrease the severity of pain and inflammation.
Each injection procedure is catered to relieve specific aggravated areas, such as herniated discs in the lower back, inflamed leg pain, and compressed nerves in the neck, shoulders and arms. With over 30 years of pain management experiences, our team of extraordinarily skilled and knowledgeable physicians are trained in the latest procedures and protocols for treating chronic pain patients.
We strive to provide our patients with a greater quality of life. Your health is our main priority. Atlas Pain Management has four offices in the Los Angeles County. We are conveniently located for patients residing in Downey, Long Beach and Whittier. Continue reading below about each epidural injection procedure. For further questions and concerns, please contact Atlas Pain Management.
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
Overview— This injection relieves pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms caused by a pinched nerve (or nerves) in the cervical spine. Conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis can compress nerves, causing inflammation and pain. The medication injected helps decrease the swelling of nerves.
Patient Sedated— The procedure is performed with the patient lying down. Intravenous sedation may be administered, and a region of skin and tissue of the neck is numbed with a local anesthetic delivered through a small needle.
Needle Inserted— Using x-ray guidance (also called fluoroscopy), the physician guides a larger needle to the painful area of the neck. The needle is inserted into the epidural space, which is the region through which spinal nerves travel.
Contrast Dye Injected— Contrast dye is injected into the space to make sure the needle is properly positioned near the irritated nerve or nerves.
Steroid Injected— A combination of an anesthetic and cortisone steroid solution is injected into the epidural space. The steroid is an anti-inflammatory medication. It is absorbed by the inflamed nerves to decrease swelling and relieve pressure. The needle is removed and a small bandage is applied.
End of Procedure— The patient goes to a recovery room and is given food and drink and discharged with post treatment instructions. Some patients may need only one injection, but it may take two or three injections (administered weeks apart) to provide significant pain relief.
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Overview— This injection procedure is performed to relieve low back and radiating leg pain. Steroid medication can reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by spinal conditions.
Patient Positioning— The patient lies face down. A cushion under the stomach area provides comfort and flexes the back. In this position, the spine opens and allows for easier access to the epidural space.
Tissue Anesthetized— A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin. All the tissue down to the surface of the lamina portion of the lumbar vertebra bone is anesthetized. The physician slides a thicker needle through the anesthetized track.
Fluoroscopic Guidance— Using a fluoroscope for guidance, the physician slides the needle toward the epidural space between the L-4 and L-5 vertebra. A contrast solution is injected. The physician uses the fluoroscope to confirm the correct location of the needle tip.
Steroids Injected— A steroid-anesthetics mix is injected into the epidural space, bathing the painful nerve root with soothing medication.
End of Procedure— The needle is removed, and a small bandage is applied to cover the tiny needle surface wound. In some cases, it may be necessary to repeat the procedure as many as three times to get the full benefit of the medication. Many patients get significant relief from only one or two injections.
Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Overview— This outpatient procedure is an injection of a steroid-anesthetic medication. The medication can reduce swelling and inflammation of irritated spinal nerves. This procedure is performed to relieve pain in the lower back and pain that radiates from the back to the legs. The injection takes only a few minutes to complete.
Preparation— In preparation for the procedure, the patient lies face down. A cushion is placed under the abdomen, which causes the spine to bend in a way that opens the spaces on the sides of the spine. These spaces are called the foramina.
Anesthetic Injected— A local anesthetic is administered to numb the skin and the tissue that covers the spine. Needle Inserted— When the area is numb, the physician carefully guides a needle into the foraminal space that surrounds the irritated nerve root.
Contrast Solution Injected— A contrast solution is injected through the needle. The physician uses a fluoroscope (a type of x-ray device) to confirm that the tip of the needle is positioned correctly.
Medication Injected— After the needle’s position has been confirmed, the physician injects a steroid-anesthetic medication. This medication bathes the irritated nerve roots. It will help alleviate the patient’s pain.
End of Procedure— When the procedure is complete, the physician removes the needle and bandages the insertion site. The patient may feel significant relief after one injection. Some patients may need multiple injections before they feel the full benefit of the medication.