Epidural steroid injections are defined according to where they are placed along your spine — cervical, thoracic, or lumbar — and the path the needle takes to reach the epidural area — interlaminar, transforaminal, or caudal. There are three types of ESIs, depending on where Dr. Cy R. Blanco injects the drug into your spine:
1. Cervical (neck) ESI: The needle entrance location for a cervical ESI is somewhat to the side of the spine in your neck (your cervical area). A cervical ESI may be recommended if you experience discomfort in your neck that radiates down your arms due to a herniated disk, bone spur, or stenosis.
2. Thoracic (upper and middle back) ESI: The needle is inserted slightly to the side of the spine in your upper or middle back (thoracic region) for a thoracic ESI. Your clinician may offer a thoracic ESI if you experience discomfort in your upper or middle back caused by a thoracic disk herniation or thoracic spinal stenosis.
3. Lumbar (low back) ESI: The needle entrance location for a lumbar ESI is somewhat to the side of your spine in your low back (your lumbar region). If you are experiencing lower back and leg discomfort due to a lumbar herniated disk, lumbar degenerative disk disease, or lumbar spinal stenosis, your provider may consider a lumbar ESI.
Additionally, there are several approaches to the epidural area that surrounds your spinal nerves. The following epidural steroid injection kinds describe the path the needle travels to reach the epidural space:
1. Interlaminar (between the lamina) ESI: The needle route in an interlaminar ESI is between two laminae in your spine to reach the epidural region. A lamina is a flat plate of bone found in each spinal vertebra. The laminae of your spine safeguard your spinal cord by forming the outside wall of the spinal canal.
2. Transforaminal (across the foramen) ESI: The needle path for a transforaminal ESI is across the foramina, which are apertures through which nerve roots exit your spine.
3. Caudal (through the sacrum) ESI: To reach the lowest spinal nerves, the needle travels via the sacral hiatus towards the bottom of your sacrum and slightly above your tailbone. The sacrum is the triangle bone in your lower back between your hip bones.
The outlook for epidural steroid injection treatment
Since there are various causes of severe pain an ESI can help address, and each individual is different, there are varying levels of results for ESIs. However, nearly 50% of ESI patients experience pain alleviation.
Epidural steroid injections are an effective and typically safe therapeutic option for chronic pain caused by specific illnesses when done by a qualified healthcare professional. It is crucial to know that an ESI is unlikely to alleviate your back or neck pain. It will, however, provide temporary pain relief so that you may resume your daily activities.
If you are worried about getting an ESI, don’t hesitate to question your doctor about it and the process. They are there to address any questions you may have. Call Florida Pain Management Institute to schedule your meeting today to determine if you are the right candidate for ESI injections.