What is an epidural?
An epidural is an injection of medication into the epidural space (the space along your spine just outside the spinal fluid). Epidural steroid injections can be done anywhere along the spine and there are different names for the different areas of injection. There are four areas of the spine where epidurals are given. They are: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper to mid back), lumbar (lower back) and caudal (tailbone).

What does an epidural do?
An epidural steroid injection is used to reduce the amount of inflammation on the nerve roots as they come off the spinal cord. Many conditions such as arthritis of the spine, bulging and/or ruptured disks, spinal stenosis, and post-herpetic neuralgia (continued pain after shingles) can cause nerve root irritation.

How is an epidural administered?
After taking a thorough history and talking in detail to your doctor, you will be brought into our treatment room. You will be asked to sit on the side of a stretcher or lie on your stomach if you will be having a caudal epidural. A small IV will be started so that we can administer some medicine to help you relax. A blood pressure cuff will be put on your arm and a clip on your finger to keep track of your breathing during the procedure and immediate recovery. After you have signed the consent form, the doctor will come in to begin the procedure which usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes to complete. The doctor will first numb your skin then place a needle into the epidural space of your spine. Once in the epidural space, a mixture of local anesthetic and steroid will be injected. The needle is then removed and you will be asked to lie on the side that bothers you the most. Your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will be closely monitored over the next 15 minutes. After this initial recovery period, you will go into the recovery room for 30 minutes or until you can walk on your own.