Relieving Pain. Restoring Hope.
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
About the treatment
A Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic or persistent lower back and radicular lower extremity pain caused by conditions including herniated discs, sciatica, bone spurs, and other back problems.
During the procedure, a Desert Pain Specialists nurse or physician will situate the patient in the procedure suite. Your doctor will then sanitize the injection area and administer local anesthesia to the injection site to numb the area and reduce discomfort. Once the procedure area is fully numb, the physician will carefully insert a needle into the targeted procedure area using live fluoroscopy (x-ray) to ensure proper placement.
A contrast dye will then be injected into the area to further ensure correct needle placement. As correct placement is confirmed, the doctor will inject a corticosteroid–anesthetic medication mixture into the area. This part of the procedure typically takes around five minutes to complete.
After the treatment
After the medication has been injected into the targeted area, the needle is removed and a bandage is applied to the procedure site. Your physician may recommend light activity and rest for up to 24 hours after the procedure. Common side effects can include nausea, dizziness, or soreness around the injection site after the procedure and should wear off after a few days. On the rare occasions that the dura is punctured during the procedure, a slight headache may occur. Most of these effects will resolve within a few hours. Patients may feel immediate pain relief, however, full results can take up to 2 weeks to take effect due to the steroid used. Pain relief typically lasts between 3 and 6 months, however, can last longer.
Treatment
READY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
