What is the purpose of an epidural or nerve block?
These injections are given for relief of low back or leg pain. The injections will help determine where your pain is originating from.
What is an epidural or nerve block injection?
An epidural injection widely distributes medication to multiple nerves in the lower spine. It is generally done when more than one nerve is affected. A selective nerve block delivers medication to only one nerve. This will help identify which nerve is specifically responsible for your sypmptoms.
These procedures take approximately 30 minutes. While lying on your stomach, the area around the lower back or tail bone will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution and a local anesthetic administered. For an epidural injection the radiologist, using fluoroscopy, will direct small needle into the epidural space (the space between the sac which contains the spinal cord and spinal fluid, and the vertebrae). A small amount of x-ray contrast will be injected to ensure proper placement of the needle. A steroid medication and a local anesthetic will then be injected.
A nerve block is very similar to an epidural injection but instead of the needle entering the epidural space it is placed next to a single nerve where it exits from the spinal canal. The remainder of the procedure is the same.
You must have your doctor’s approval before you discontinue taking anticoagulants. Inform your doctor and the radiologist if you are allergic to iodine, contrast material or dye, are diabetic or taking anti-coagulants. If you are taking anti-coagulants, you must discontinue use of them 4-5 days prior to your appointment. You will also be required to have "STAT" INR blood test done the day prior to your procedure.
Please note that the procedure cannot be performed if you have an active infection or are on antibiotics. The medication used will reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Your appointment will need to be rescheduled.