Epidural steroid injections can be an effective treatment option for men and women suffering from pain in their lower back, legs, neck, or arms. Dr. R. Blake Kline has extensive training and experience in epidural steroid injections and offers the treatment as one of many pain relief options at Atlantic Coast Spine & Pain Center. Call or go online to find a convenient appointment time at the Conway, South Carolina, office.
Epidural steroid injections provide immediate delivery of steroid medications to the epidural space in your spine. Your epidural space is full of blood vessels and covers your dural sac, which surrounds your spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, and nerve roots.
Epidural steroid injections are usually a blend of a local anesthetic and cortisone (or steroid). Saline is also a standard ingredient; it is used as a flushing agent and to dilute the medications.
Epidural steroid injections work by reducing inflammation. Inflammation places undue pressure on the nerves and tissues of your spine, creating pain.
When that pressure is relieved, you experience pain relief. Dr. Kline often uses epidural steroid injections in conjunction with other pain management efforts.
Epidural steroid injections offer pain management in four areas: the lower back (lumbar), neck (cervical), mid spine (thoracic), and arms.
These are some common conditions in each area that respond well to epidural steroid injections:
Lumbar
Cervical
Thoracic
All spinal injections carry risks, but epidural steroid injections have a low rate of side effects. When a highly trained and experienced doctor like Dr. Kline performs these procedures, your chance of side effects is even lower.
Potential side effects include:
To find out if epidural steroid injections can help relieve your back, leg, neck, or radiating arm pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kline today.