When a spinal issue causes neck and back pain, an epidural injection will provide you with the relaxation you require to resume your favorite activities. Faheem Abbasi, MD, a fellowship-trained pain management expert at New Jersey Pain, Spine & Sports Associates, has vast experience administering safe and successful epidural steroid injections. At the three convenient office locations of Elizabeth, Hazlet, and North Brunswick, NJ, patients can access the most comprehensive care. Make an appointment with the New Jersey Epidural Injections specialist today to learn how you can benefit from this revolutionary treatment.
What Exactly Is An Epidural Injection?
An epidural injection is a procedure identified for the epidural space in your spine, where the steroid is delivered. This area is filled with fat and safeguards the spinal cord.
Epidural injections generally contain a local anesthetic and steroids. Steroids are powerful anti-swelling drugs, while anesthetics provide fast but temporary pain relief. Dr. Abbasi will administer steroids into the epidural space surrounding inflamed nerves, allowing the drug to circulate through the nerves. Once the steroids suppress swelling, the pain subsides.
Steroids take several days to take effect. Once the drug comes into effect, the results can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more. Nevertheless, everybody’s steroid metabolism differs. There is no way of knowing how much pain control you will achieve or how long the effects will last. Dr. Abbasi can prescribe one or two extra epidural injections if you only require moderate pain relief.
When Might You Require An Epidural Injection?
Dr. Abbasi utilizes epidural injections to relieve pain triggered by swollen nerves in the back, neck, arm, and leg. This form of swelling can be due to a variety of spine issues, including:
o Degenerative disc disease
o Disc herniation
o Protruding disc
o Radiculopathy
o Sciatica
o Facet joint arthritis
o Spinal stenosis
When a back or neck injury triggers swollen spinal nerves, an epidural injection may help ease the pain.
What Can You Expect From An Epidural Injection?
Dr. Abbasi utilizes real-time imagery to visualize the spine and direct the needle during an epidural injection. He uses a topical anesthetic to numb the affected area before cautiously guiding the needle into the epidural cavity.
After inserting the needle near the desired nerves, Dr. Abbasi administers a contrast dye and observes how it flows when it reaches the epidural cavity. By watching the dye, he will confirm that the drug can circulate the swollen nerves. The steroid drug is then injected, and the needle is withdrawn.
You can leave the office shortly after your injection is done. However, you should intend on remaining for a while to ensure there are no complications.
At New Jersey Pain, Spine & Sports Associates, Dr. Abbasi commits himself to offer patients relief from a wide range of chronic and acute pain syndromes. He addresses various concerns using the most innovative techniques to enhance efficiency and patient experience. To determine whether an epidural injection will help with your pain, call the office or request an appointment online today.