What is an Epidural Injection?
An epidural injection involves injecting local anaesthetics and steroids into an area called the epidural space, near your spinal cord. This numbs your nerves to provide pain relief. The steroids reduce inflammation and may make the pain relief last longer.
What Types of Epidural Injection are Available?
The type of epidural injection depends on where it is given.
The diagram below shows where Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Caudal epidural injections are administered.
What are the Benefits of an Epidural Injection?
An epidural injection can give you short-term pain relief, allowing you to move around more easily.
The Procedure
What Does the Procedure Involve?
An epidural injection usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Your doctor will insert a needle and inject the anaesthetic. Your doctor will then remove the needle.
What Complications Can Happen?
- Failure of the epidural
- Worsening pain
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Difficulty passing urine
- Temporary leg or arm weakness
- Backache
- Seizures
- Unexpected high block
- Infection around your spine
- Nerve injury
- Blood clot around your spine
Consultants and Clinic Times
Dr Israa Al-Shakarchi
MBBCh, FRCP (Rheum), MSc, BSc, PGCME, FHEA
Specialities
Rheumatology
Professor Marios Papadopoulos
MA MD FRCS(SN)
Specialities
Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery
Mr Christian Ulbricht
MD, MRCS, FRCS(Neurosurg)
