Can Epidural Steroid Injections Help My Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is an all-too-common condition that many of us will experience at some point in our lives. Although many of us may be able to control this pain through over-the-counter painkillers or perhaps some light physical therapy and bed rest, there are going to be some of us that have back pain to the extent where we need to seek medical attention.
A common type of back pain or pinched nerve pain is a result of a slipped or herniated disc. These discs are gel filled material that exist between the vertebrae of our spine and allow the vertebrae to move independently of each other and also protect it from damage. Should these happen to crack or slip out of place, the pain that we experience can be extremely severe. Back pain sufferers have many choices of treatment. Options include physical therapy, bed rest, traction, spinal decompression, painkillers, surgery and natural forms of treatment.
There may be times, however, whenever an epidural steroid injection is prescribed. What exactly is an epidural steroid injection, how is it administered and what can it do for you?
An epidural generally refers to an injection which goes into the epidural space in the spinal column. The epidural space is in the outermost part of the spinal canal and it lies outside of the dura matter which encases the spinal column. The injected steroids mimic cortisone and hydrocortisone which can reduce the inflammation that surround the affected nerves. This can give almost immediate relief to the pain that is experienced in this area and can help to keep the inflammation down for a considerable amount of time in order to allow for more effective pain management.
Unfortunately, relief from epidural steroid injections is usually temporary. Also, the steroids that are injected can have side effects which may include weakened muscles, a decrease in bone density, and possible lowering of the steroids that your body produces naturally.
Be sure to discuss with your personal physician the pros and cons of epidural steroid injections for providing back pain and pinched nerve pain relief.
Dan Raymond
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/can-epidural-steroid-injections-help-my-lower-back-pain-611854.html
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December 17, 2009 - 3:46 pm
epidural steroid injections do they work for lower back pain?
December 17, 2009 - 9:48 pm
They work quite well for some. Sometimes it takes more than one. Injections, physical therapy and pain management are all reasonable things to try before the dreaded surgery option. Some also get relief with acupuncture. I try to get all of my patients, except the most obvious surgical candidates, to try these things first. Surgery is not 100% and doesn’t help at all for some.
References :
PA-C for an orthopedic surgeon.
December 17, 2009 - 9:50 pm
i had these for a few months and they can help. after a while they wore off for me. i then had nerves burned so i couldnt feel them , dr told me that eventually some of them can grow back. so far it is not too bad, and i am able to get on with life. steroids are my friend, i have even had them given to me for my migraines.
References :
December 17, 2009 - 9:52 pm
Great question. In my experience, epidurals work best when the pain is radiating into other areas of the body (arms, legs, etc) from an irritated spinal nerve. According to two well respected spine surgeons I work with, in 60% of the cases that they see the patient responds to one injection. If relief is not experienced after 2 injections, the odds are you will not experience relief on the third. There is a good overview of this kind of injection with peer comments from two surgeons I respect at the following link:
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1177.html
Its important to understand that while they may not work for every patient, they are a good first line conservative treatment for lower back pain from inflamed nerve endings in the spine.
References :
http://www.spineuniverse.com