When to Consider Epidural Steroid Injections: Who Are the Ideal Candidates?

If you are suffering from chronic back and spine pain, it may be time to consider a new approach. You owe it to yourself to consider epidural steroid injections to provide long-lasting relief. Dr. Stacie Oliver at Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists in St. George, UT, provides comprehensive pain management services, including epidural steroid injections.

What You Need To Know About Epidural Steroid Injections

When you think of an epidural injection, you may immediately think of pregnancy and giving birth. The truth is, epidural injections are a highly effective way to provide long-lasting relief from chronic back and spinal pain.

During an epidural injection, anti-inflammatory steroid medication is injected into the epidural space, just outside the membrane covering the spinal cord. Epidural steroid injections are an excellent choice to treat acute or chronic pain associated with spinal conditions, including nerve compression, a herniated disk, or spinal stenosis.

So, who is an ideal candidate for an epidural steroid injection? You are an ideal candidate for epidural steroid injections if:

• Other pain management methods have not been effective for you
• You suffer from severe back, spine, or leg pain, which is affecting your ability to stay active
• You want a non-addictive, long-lasting pain management option

An epidural steroid injection uses x-ray imaging and dye to help identify the precise placement of the medication. A needle is inserted along your spine, closest to the affected nerve. The dye illuminates the spinal nerves, allowing your doctor to determine the optimal location for medication. Steroid medication is injected into the area. An epidural injection can be completed quickly, in as little as 15 minutes.

When you choose epidural steroid injections, you will enjoy some important benefits, including:

• Requiring a lower dose of pain medication
• Having fewer side effects and no addictive properties
• Providing pain relief that can last for several months
• Allowing you to stay active and alert

Want To Know More About Epidural Steroid Injections?

To learn more about when to consider epidural steroid injections and whether you are an ideal candidate, call Dr. Oliver at Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists in St. George, UT. You can reach her in the office by calling (435) 222-5527, so call today.