The Procedure
Prior to receiving an epidural injection, you will have a comprehensive consultation with a pain management specialist. During this session, your medical history will be assessed, and a physical examination will be conducted to identify the source of your pain.
Imaging tests, including MRI or CT scans, may also be utilized to precisely locate the nerve inflammation.
The epidural injection procedure is typically conducted in an outpatient setting and usually takes less than 30 minutes. You will be asked to lie face down on a table while your back is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area where the injection will be administered.
Guided by fluoroscopy, a specialized X-ray technique, the doctor carefully inserts the needle into the epidural space. Once the needle is accurately positioned, the medication is injected. Although you may experience some pressure during the injection, it should not be painful.