Epidural Steroid Injection Provides Sciatica Relief

Epidural steroid injection is a boon for sciatica sufferers. It is a regular injection for cortisone which is otherwise produced by the body when it is under stress.

Sciatica is the pain which may be the result of compression or irritation of any of the spinal nerve roots. These roots give rise to nerves called sciatica nerves. Due to compression or irritation, left or right sciatic nerves experience pain which may be severe at times and require measures for relief. The treatments for sciatica may be different depending upon the causes.

For sciatica relief, epidural steroid injection may be used which is similar to regular cortisone injection. The steroid which is produced by the adrenal gland is known as Cortisone. This steroid is released into the blood stream when the body is under stress and is relatively short acting. Medically, cortisone is synthesized under many different trade names like Celestone, Kenalog etc. It is same as the cortisone produced in our own body in case the body is under stress. Sciatica does not only cause pain but also inflammation. The main thing to be noticed is that the synthetic cortisone is not injected directly into blood stream. It is injected into a peculiar area of inflammation. The synthetic cortisone is designed to be more result oriented and it works for longer period of time. It can give relief up to several days.

The epidural steroid injection proves to be a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. It works potently around the spinal nerves but it is not an easy affair. The doctor would ask you to lie down with your face downwards on an x-ray table. The x-ray visualizes and guides the exact location of the tip of the needle which is very near to the spinal nerves, known as the epidural space. Commonly, there is a series of this injection which is spaced a week apart. This helps to control inflammatory irritation and provides long lasting relief. The epidural steroid injection lasts for around 15 minutes. Any of the following professionals could administer the epidural steroid injection:

* anesthesiologists
* orthopedic surgeons
* neurologists
* radiologists
* Any other trained professional

Nothing comes with an exception and so is the case with epidural steroid injection. Side effects are rare but are important enough to be discussed.

* Infection- the infection is rarely caused and can be avoided by use of sterile technique.
* Bleeding- it is also unusual and can be avoided for patients with bleeding disorders.
* Increased blood sugar- the diabetic patients are carefully administered to avoid this side effect.

Despite all the side effects, synthesized cortisone injection is a good tool for sciatica pain relief which is accompanied by irritating inflammation and provides long lasting relief up to several days.

Learn more about sciatica treatment options - click here