Common Spine Procedures That Utilize Epidural Injections
If you’re struggling with chronic back pain or other spine-related issues, you may have heard about the benefits of epidural injections. At the Central Texas Spine Institute, we specialize in providing comprehensive pain management options, and spinal epidural injections are among the most common procedures we offer to relieve discomfort and enhance your quality of life. Let’s explore six common spine procedures that utilize epidural injections and how they can help you. Schedule a consultation today.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are the most prevalent type of spinal epidural injection. This procedure involves administering corticosteroids into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. The goal is to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain caused by conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica.
Facet Joint Injections
Facet joint injections are another common procedure involving epidural injections. These injections target the facet joints, which are small joints located between the vertebrae in your spine. These joints can become inflamed or irritated due to conditions like arthritis, leading to chronic pain.
In this procedure, a spine specialist in Austin will inject a combination of a steroid and a local anesthetic directly into the facet joint. This can reduce inflammation and provide significant pain relief. Many patients find that facet joint injections not only alleviate pain but also enable them to engage in physical therapy and other rehabilitation efforts more effectively.
Selective Nerve Root Blocks
Selective nerve root blocks are an effective way to diagnose and treat nerve-related pain. This procedure involves injecting medication directly around a specific nerve root that is causing pain, often due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
The spine specialist will first identify the affected nerve root through imaging studies. Then, using fluoroscopic guidance, they will perform the epidural injection. This not only provides immediate pain relief but also helps pinpoint the source of the pain, allowing for more tailored treatment options moving forward.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the spine to the pelvis and play a crucial role in body mechanics. When these joints become inflamed, they can lead to significant pain in the lower back and buttocks.
Epidural injections can be used in sacroiliac joint injections to provide relief. The procedure involves injecting an anesthetic and steroid into the SI joint. Many patients report substantial pain reduction following this injection, which can aid in returning to physical activities that may have been limited.
Radiofrequency Ablation
While not a traditional epidural injection, radiofrequency ablation can be combined with epidural injections to provide prolonged pain relief. This procedure involves using heat generated by radio waves to destroy pain-generating nerves around the facet joints.
After a series of injections aimed at identifying the specific nerves causing pain, a spine specialist can use radiofrequency ablation to disrupt the pain signals being sent to your brain. This combination can provide lasting relief for those suffering from chronic back pain.
Discography
Although primarily a diagnostic procedure, discography can also lead to treatment options involving epidural injections. In discography, a contrast dye is injected into the spinal discs to evaluate disc pathology. If a disc is identified as a source of pain, subsequent epidural injections can be used to provide relief.
GET IN TOUCH TODAY
Understanding your options for spine procedures is crucial when managing chronic back pain and other spine disorders. At Central Texas Spine Institute, we are committed to helping you find the most effective treatments, including various epidural injection therapies.
By collaborating with our expert team, you can explore these minimally invasive options tailored to your specific condition. From epidural steroid injections to advanced techniques like radiofrequency ablation, there are numerous pathways toward pain relief. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with a spine specialist in Austin and take the first step toward a more comfortable, active lifestyle!
