Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection Allen, TX
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At the Advanced Spine Center, relief and restoration for cervical spine conditions are our top priority. Our clinic specializes in providing comprehensive care for individuals seeking effective solutions to alleviate neck pain, nerve-related discomfort, and spinal issues. If you have chronic neck or upper back pain that has not responded to conservative treatments, you may benefit from a cervical epidural steroid injection.
Our team of experienced Allen orthopedic spine surgeons and specialists utilizes cutting-edge techniques to administer these injections, aiming to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in the cervical region. Discover how our expertise and personalized approach can help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life with cervical epidural steroid injections. To schedule an appointment with us, please call our office at 972-499-5457 today.
What Is a Cervical Epidural Injection?
A cervical epidural steroid injection (CESI) is a procedure in which a steroid medication, typically combined with a local anesthetic, is injected into the epidural space in the cervical (neck) region of the spine. The epidural space is the area around the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.
These epidural corticosteroid injections aim to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain caused by conditions affecting the cervical spine, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. The steroid medication helps to decrease inflammation and swelling around the spinal nerves, providing pain relief. The local anesthetic is often administered alongside the steroid to provide immediate pain relief.
How Do Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections Work?
Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESI) work by delivering a combination of a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic into the epidural space around the cervical (neck) region of the spine. This targeted medication delivery aims to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with various cervical spine conditions. Cervical injections work in the following ways.
Reducing Inflammation: Inflammation often contributes to pain by putting pressure on the spinal nerves or nerve roots in the cervical region. The corticosteroid medication, such as cortisone, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. When injected into the epidural space, the steroid helps to decrease inflammation, swelling, and irritation around the nerves.
Relieving Pain: The local anesthetic component of the injection provides immediate pain relief. This numbing medication temporarily interrupts the transmission of pain signals from the affected nerves, providing short-term relief until the corticosteroid takes effect.
Promoting Healing: By reducing inflammation, CESIs can create an environment conducive to the healing process. Decreased inflammation can potentially alleviate pressure on nerves, allowing the body’s natural healing mechanisms to function more effectively.
Longer-Term Effects: While the local anesthetic offers immediate relief, the corticosteroid provides longer-lasting effects by continuing to reduce inflammation over several days to weeks. As the inflammation decreases, the associated pain often subsides gradually.
Who Administers Cervical Injections in Allen, TX?
Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are typically administered by healthcare professionals who have specialized training and expertise in interventional pain management. This can include a wide array of professionals, including pain management specialists, interventional radiologists, and orthopedic surgeons.
Cervical injections offer significant pain relief for patients with cervical spine pain. That’s why our orthopedics spine specialists have comprehensive knowledge of spinal anatomy, proper injection techniques, potential complications, and strategies to manage any adverse reactions or complications that may arise during or after the procedure.
When Do We Recommend Cervical Injections?
Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals experiencing pain or discomfort related to various cervical spine conditions. These injections may be considered when conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, and other non-invasive interventions, have not provided sufficient pain relief.
It’s important to note that cervical injections are not always the first line of treatment and are often considered after less invasive treatments have been attempted. The decision to recommend CESIs is based on an individual’s specific condition, symptoms, medical history, and response to previous treatments.
The goal of CESIs is to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve function. These injections are typically part of a broader treatment plan that may include physical therapy, exercise, medications, and lifestyle modifications tailored to the individual’s needs. The decision to undergo a cervical epidural steroid injection should be made after a thorough evaluation and discussion with a healthcare professional.
What Conditions Can Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections Treat?
Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are commonly used as a part of the treatment plan for various conditions affecting the cervical spine. These injections can be beneficial in managing symptoms associated with the following conditions.
- Cervical Radiculopathy: This condition involves compression or irritation of a nerve root in the cervical spine, resulting in pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the arm, shoulder, neck, or upper back.
- Herniated Disc: When one of the discs in the cervical spine ruptures or herniates, it can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain, discomfort, or weakness in the neck, arms, or shoulders. CESIs can help alleviate inflammation and reduce symptoms associated with nerve compression.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Over time, the discs in the cervical spine can degenerate, leading to chronic neck pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. CESIs may help manage inflammation and pain associated with this condition.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots in the cervical spine. CESIs might be used to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms like neck pain, weakness, or numbness in the arms and hands.
What Types of Cervical Injections Do We Offer in Allen?
There are a few types of cervical injections we use to treat various conditions affecting the cervical (neck) region. The specific type of injection recommended depends on the individual’s diagnosis, symptoms, and the healthcare provider’s assessment. Steroid injections and anesthetic injections, as well as a combination of both, are all options for our patients.
Steroid Injections
Cervical Epidural Corticosteroid Injection: This injection involves the administration of a corticosteroid medication (such as cortisone) directly into the epidural space around the cervical spine. The steroid aims to reduce inflammation and swelling around nerves and spinal structures, providing longer-term relief from pain.
Cervical Facet Joint Injection: Steroid medications may also be injected into the facet joints of the cervical spine to reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with conditions affecting these joints, such as arthritis or facet joint syndrome.
Selective Nerve Root Block: When a specific nerve root is suspected of causing pain (as in cervical radiculopathy), steroid injections can be directed around the nerve root to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Anesthetic Injections
Local Anesthetic Injection: These injections typically contain medications like lidocaine or bupivacaine. They work by temporarily blocking nerve signals in the area where they are injected, providing immediate pain relief. Anesthetic injections can be used alone or in combination with steroid injections to provide short-term pain relief while the steroid takes effect.
Medial Branch Block: Local anesthetics may be used in medial branch block injections to target and temporarily numb the nerves transmitting pain signals from the facet joints in the cervical spine. These injections help diagnose the source of pain and provide short-term relief.
How Do We Administer Cervical Epidural Injections?
Administered by trained healthcare professionals, CESIs involve delivering a combination of corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic directly into the epidural space surrounding the cervical spine. This space exists around the protective covering of the spinal cord and nerve roots in the spinal canal.
The procedure typically takes place in a clinical setting equipped with fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or other imaging technology to guide the precise placement of the injection. Before the procedure begins, the patient is positioned either lying face down on an X-ray table or sitting upright, based on the healthcare provider’s preference and the patient’s comfort.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the skin at the injection site, ensuring minimal discomfort during the procedure. Once the area is numbed, a thin needle is carefully inserted into the epidural space within the cervical spine. We use fluoroscopic guidance to guide the needle’s placement, avoiding contact with the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Confirmation of the needle’s accurate placement is often verified using contrast dye, which is injected and visualized via fluoroscopy. Following this confirmation, the medication—a mixture of corticosteroid for long-term relief and a local anesthetic for immediate pain relief—is slowly delivered into the epidural space.
Interlaminar Epidural Injections
In an interlaminar epidural injection, the needle is inserted between the laminae (the bony structures at the back of adjacent vertebrae) into the epidural space. The medication is dispersed more broadly into the epidural space, potentially reaching multiple nerve roots and affecting a larger area of the spine.
Interlaminar injections are commonly used for delivering medication in a more generalized manner to manage chronic pain and conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or diffuse spinal issues affecting multiple levels of the spine.
Transforaminal Epidural Injections
A transforaminal epidural steroid injection involves inserting the needle through the neural foramen, the opening between vertebrae where spinal nerves exit the spinal cord, directly targeting a specific nerve root. The medication is delivered close to a specific nerve root, allowing for more precise targeting of the affected nerve and surrounding structures.
Transforaminal injections are often used when a specific nerve root is identified as the primary source of pain or inflammation, such as in cases of radiculopathy (pinched nerve), herniated discs, or spinal nerve irritation at a specific level of the spine.
How Can Patients Prepare for Cervical Injections?
Preparing for cervical injections involves several steps to ensure that patients are adequately informed, physically ready, and well-prepared for the cervical epidural steroid injection.
Before the procedure, patients should have a thorough consultation with their healthcare provider. This is an opportunity to discuss the specific type of cervical injection being recommended, the reasons behind it, potential benefits, risks, and alternatives. Patients should ask questions and address any concerns they may have.
We also recommend preparing in the following ways.
- Medical history and medications: Patients should provide a comprehensive medical history to their healthcare provider, including current medications, allergies, past surgeries, or any bleeding disorders. Some medications may need adjustments before the procedure, so it’s crucial to discuss these with your doctor.
- Arrange for transportation: Patients may need someone to drive them home after the procedure, especially if sedation or anesthesia is used. Making transportation arrangements in advance is crucial for safety and convenience.
- Wear comfortable clothing: Wear loose and comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure. This can help ease the process and ensure comfort during and after the injection.
What Should I Expect During Cervical Injections?
A cervical epidural injection involves a series of steps. Understanding what to expect during the procedure can help alleviate anxiety for patients, as well as prepare them. You can expect the following during the procedure.
- Getting Ready: You’ll change into a gown and lie down on a table or sit comfortably.
- Cleaning and Numbing: The area where the injection will be given is cleaned, and a numbing medicine is applied to reduce any discomfort.
- Needle Insertion: A small needle is gently placed into your neck or back using X-ray guidance.
- Medication Injection: Medicine (often a mix of anti-inflammatory and numbing drugs) is slowly given through the needle to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Observation and Recovery: You’ll be watched for a bit to ensure no immediate issues. Sometimes, the effects are felt immediately, but full relief might take a few days.
- Aftercare Instructions: You’ll receive guidance on what to do after the procedure, like resting or taking medications, to help with recovery.
What Is Recovery Like After Cervical Epidural Injections?
Recovery after cervical epidural injections varies from person to person, but you can generally expect the following.
- Immediate Post-Procedure Period: After the injection, you may be monitored for a short while in the recovery area to ensure there are no immediate complications or adverse reactions.
- Activity Level: It’s common to resume normal activities shortly after the procedure, although some healthcare providers might advise limiting strenuous activities or heavy lifting for a brief period. Generally, patients can return to work or regular activities the same day or the day after the injection.
- Follow-Up Care: Your healthcare provider might schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your response to the injection and discuss any ongoing symptoms or changes in your condition.
Potential Complications and Risks of Cervical Injections
Cervical injections, including cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs), carry some potential risks and complications, although they are generally considered safe when performed by trained healthcare professionals. Some of the potential risks and complications associated with cervical injections include the following.
Common Side Effects
- Injection Site Discomfort: Mild soreness, bruising, or discomfort at the injection site is common and typically resolves within a few days.
- Temporary Increase in Pain: Some individuals might experience temporary exacerbation of pain at the injection site or referred pain before experiencing relief.
- Headache: A mild headache can occur in some patients after the procedure, usually resolving quickly.
- Flushing or Warmth: Temporary flushing or warmth in the face or neck region can occur due to the injected medications and usually dissipates quickly.
- Transient Increase in Blood Sugar: Steroid medications used in the injection can cause a temporary elevation in blood sugar levels, especially in individuals with diabetes.
Rare Side Effects
- Infection: Though rare, there’s a slight risk of infection at the injection site.
- Bleeding: Minimal bleeding can occur, especially in individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications.
- Allergic Reaction: An allergic reaction to the injected medications, such as the steroid or local anesthetic, can occur but is uncommon.
- Nerve Damage: Rarely, nerve injury or irritation may occur during the injection, leading to temporary or, exceptionally, permanent neurological issues.
- Dural Puncture and Spinal Headache: Accidental puncture of the covering of the spinal cord (dura mater) can cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage, leading to a spinal headache. This is a rare but potential complication.
- Rare Neurological Complications: Extremely rare complications, such as severe nerve damage resulting in paralysis or other significant neurological deficits, have been reported but are exceptionally uncommon.
Contact the Advanced Spine Center for Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections in Allen, TX
At Advanced Spine Center, our commitment to your spinal health doesn’t end with the treatment. We prioritize your well-being throughout the entire journey, from initial consultation to recovery and beyond. Our dedicated team will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you receive exceptional care and support.
With our expertise in cervical epidural steroid injections and a holistic approach to spinal health, we strive to empower you on your path to a pain-free life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a more comfortable and active lifestyle. Trust Advanced Spine Center for compassionate care and expertise that puts your spine health first.
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