Overview of Epidural Steroid Injection
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally-invasive treatment to relieve low back related leg pain or neck related arm pain. The injections have been used for low back problems since the early 1950s and are considered an integral part of the non-surgical treatment of sciatica and low back pain. Epidural steroid injections are an important part of Dr. Brandon Claflin’s treatment of his patients. The goal of the injection is pain relief; at times the injection alone is sufficient, but in many cases an epidural steroid injection is used in combination with physical therapy.
An epidural steroid injection is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid medication into the epidural space. The epidural space is located in the spine just outside the membrane that covers the spinal cord and nerve roots. Nerves travel through the epidural space to the back and into the legs. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain due to irritation from a damaged disc or from contact with the bony structures of the spine. Pain relief after an epidural steroid injection, in most cases, can last months, or even a year.
Popularity of Epidural Steroid Injections
One of the major reasons epidural steroid injections are popular is because it is a minimally invasive procedure. It is not unusual for a patient to require more than one injection to receive long term benefits available with epidural steroid injections. The procedure should not be performed if you have an active infection, flu, cold, fever or high blood pressure problems. To find out if you are a candidate, you should discuss epidural steroid injections with your primary care physician or pain specialist. ESI treatments are most commonly administered by pain specialists or orthopedic surgeons.
An epidural injection may be used to address pain caused by:
- Herniated or bulging disk
- Spinal stenosis
- Injuries to spinal nerves, vertebrae and surrounding tissues
- Bone spurs
Referral Not Required
Did you know a referral is not needed to make an appointment with Dr. Brandon Claflin, DO at Oklahoma Interventional Spine & Pain to discuss epidural steroid injections or any other issue related to pain in the back and spine?
Tulsa-based, Oklahoma Interventional Spine & Pain (OISP), is a comprehensive, full-time pain clinic. Dr. Brandon Claflin at OISP is a board-certified specialist who attends to patients in a compassionate and caring environment. If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Brandon Claflin, please call 918-728-8020.