Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

Cervical epidural steroid injection Arlington Va

Conditions such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or arthritis in your spine can cause intense pain and inflammation. This is usually due to pinched or compressed nerves. Our doctors at OrthoBethesda in Arlington utilize cervical epidural injections to relieve pain in the shoulders, arms, and neck. When you experience inflammation or pinched nerves in your cervical spine, this non-surgical injection can be performed in our Arlington office, which is deemed safe with positive outcomes.

At OrthoBethesda in Arlington, VA our doctors can assess your condition and tell you more about steroid injections and other treatment options that we use to address spine and back pain.

 

What is a cervical epidural steroid injection?

Inflammation can occur to nerves in the epidural space because of irritation from a damaged disc or contact with the spine’s bony structures. This issue can cause pain in the back, neck, arms, and shoulders. Cervical epidural steroid injections are a pain management procedure used to help patients struggling with pinched or compressed nerves.

A cervical epidural steroid injection provides anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space, decreasing inflammation to the nerve roots and reducing pain. Once inflammation reduction occurs, it may also potentially help the spinal injury to heal. Some patients find their pain permanently relieved while others experience pain relief for several months. At OrthoBethesda in Arlington, our doctors often utilize this conservative treatment approach before suggesting more acute surgical procedures. Usually, risks associated with cervical epidural steroid injections are rare, some potential side effects include:

  • Weakness or numbness in the hands or arms
  • Allergic reaction
  • Spine headache
  • Infection
  • Nerve damage
  • Increased neck pain

How a cervical epidural steroid injection provides relief from pain

Inflammation in cervical nerve roots can provoke pain. Cervical epidural steroid injections are intended to treat this sort of neck or back pain. When a nerve root in the neck gets compressed or inflamed as it branches off the spinal cord and exits the spine, the spinal nerves can cause pain that shoots down the arm and into the hand. If you are experiencing this type of pain a cervical epidural steroid injection can be a great option for short term relief.

Getting Your Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

Before the treatment procedure, our orthopedic specialists/surgical team in Arlington administer IV medications to manage your nerves. During your cervical epidural injection, your doctor injects medicine into the area around the spinal cord in your neck. Patients usually sit in a chair positioned to allow our doctors’ access to the steroid injection area. The procedure generally follows these steps:

  • Once we sterilized the skin on the back of the neck, a small area is numbed.
  • Once the numbing medication has taken effect, your OrthoBethesda doctor directs a small needle using X-ray guidance into the epidural space.
  • The doctor will inject a small amount of contrast dye to ensure the needle is positioned correctly before proceeding
  • Medicine consisting of a small mixture of anesthetic and anti-inflammatories, injected into the epidural space.

After the Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection Procedure

Your OrthoBethesda doctor will ask you to keep a record of the relief you experience post-injection. Once reviewed with the patient, our doctors may recommend repeated block injections in our Arlington office if the desired pain relief was not achieved with the first injection. Injections can be administered in a series of three treatments about two weeks apart if needed.

After your cervical epidural steroid injections at our Arlington location in Virginia Hospital, there are a few things you should do to take care of yourself.

  • Ice
  • Follow medical guidelines for medication
  • Perform fewer activities until your doctor gives you the go-ahead
  • Shower and bathe based on recommendations from your doctor

How Long Do Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections Last?

Depending on a variety of factors, including your body’s chemistry and your activity level, some patients experience pain relief lasting for several years, while others find that the effects of their cervical epidural steroid injection last only a short time. Pain relief post-injection varies from person to person.

Schedule an Appointment With Our Doctors In Arlington Today

Cervical spine issues can be serious. An epidural might be a convenient treatment option for pain management. If you think you might need an epidural steroid injection, schedule a visit with our team today.