Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections for Neck Pain Relief
Cervical epidural steroid injections (ESIs) serve as a powerful treatment for neck pain. This procedure delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord, thereby providing relief for those suffering from conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.
At Red Butte Pain Solutions, we specialize in epidural injections. If you experience chronic neck pain, an epidural injection could offer significant relief.
What Is a Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection?
A cervical epidural steroid injection involves placing a corticosteroid into the epidural space of your cervical spine. This area surrounds the spinal nerves and often experiences inflammation in conditions that cause neck pain. Consequently, the injection helps reduce inflammation, leading to pain relief.
The benefits of an epidural injection include:
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Improved neck mobility
- Decreased reliance on oral pain medications
This treatment can effectively address neck pain that radiates to your shoulders or arms.
Conditions Treated with Cervical Epidural Injections
Epidural injections treat a variety of conditions that cause neck pain, including:
- Herniated discs – When the discs in your neck bulge or rupture, they press on nerves.
- Degenerative disc disease – Age-related wear and tear affects the discs that cushion your vertebrae.
- Spinal stenosis – A narrowing of the spaces in the spine leads to nerve pressure.
These conditions often lead to inflammation, swelling, and nerve irritation.
What to Expect During the Procedure
An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure. You’ll lie face down, and a local anesthetic will numb the area. We use fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to insert a needle carefully into the epidural space of your neck. Once we position the needle correctly, we inject corticosteroid medication to reduce inflammation and pain.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes, and we monitor you briefly afterward to ensure no immediate side effects occur. Most patients can resume normal activities the next day.
Interlaminar vs. Transforaminal Epidural Injections
We can use two main approaches to deliver a cervical epidural injection: the interlaminar approach and the transforaminal approach.
- Interlaminar approach: In this method, we insert the needle into the midline of the back between the laminae (bones in the spine). The medication enters the epidural space, where it spreads to both sides of the spine, covering a larger area of inflammation.
- Transforaminal approach: With this approach, we insert the needle from the side, targeting the nerve root more precisely. The medication reaches the specific nerve causing pain, making this approach ideal for treating conditions like a herniated disc.
Both approaches can prove effective, and we choose the method based on your specific condition and anatomy.
Benefits of Cervical Epidural Injections for Neck Pain
Patients with chronic neck pain often see significant benefits from cervical epidural injections. These benefits can include:
- Long-lasting pain relief – Many patients experience relief for weeks or months.
- Improved function and mobility – Less pain often leads to better movement and quality of life.
- Faster recovery from acute flare-ups – If you experience an acute episode of pain, an epidural injection can help you return to normal quickly.
Are Cervical Epidural Injections Safe?
Yes, these injections are generally safe when performed by an experienced physician. At Red Butte Pain Solutions, we use fluoroscopic guidance to ensure precise placement of the medication. Side effects remain rare, but they may include temporary soreness at the injection site, headaches, or minor bleeding.
How Effective Are Cervical Epidural Injections?
The effectiveness of epidural steroid injections varies depending on the condition we treat. Many patients experience significant pain relief, especially if inflammation or nerve compression causes their neck pain. In some cases, we may need to repeat injections to maintain relief.
For conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, epidural injections can reduce the need for surgery. Additionally, we often combine them with physical therapy or other treatments for the best results.
Who Should Consider a Cervical Epidural Injection?
If you have persistent neck pain that hasn’t improved with other treatments, you might consider a cervical epidural injection. This treatment proves particularly helpful if your neck pain radiates down your arms, as this often indicates nerve irritation.
Ideal candidates for cervical epidural injections include those who:
- Have not found relief with physical therapy or oral medications.
- Experience arm or shoulder pain in addition to neck pain.
- Seek a non-surgical option for pain relief.
What to Expect After Your Injection
After the injection, you might feel some initial soreness at the injection site. Pain relief often begins within a few days and continues to improve over the next one to two weeks. Your doctor will advise you on any activity restrictions and follow-up appointments.
For some, a single injection provides months of relief, while others may require a series of injections. If you experience ongoing pain, your doctor may recommend additional treatments such as physical therapy or further diagnostic testing.
Get Relief from Neck Pain at Red Butte Pain Solutions
If neck pain affects your quality of life, a cervical epidural steroid injection could provide the relief you need. At Red Butte Pain Solutions, we specialize in diagnosing and treating neck pain using various methods, including cervical epidural injections.
For more information call 602-633-4334 or Pre-Register to schedule your consultation today. We proudly serve Chandler, Arizona, and the surrounding areas with personalized pain management solutions.