Low back pain is the most common back pain experienced by Americans. It is estimated that roughly 40-70% of adults will experience some sort of low back pain in their lifetime. Caudal steroid injections have long been the preferred treatment for patients suffering from this form of chronic back pain as the process is relatively simple and minimally invasive. This frequently used treatment method consists of the patient being injected into via the epidural space outside of the membrane holding nerves and spinal cord bundles in place.
This procedure has been highly successful in the past with patients expressing a feeling of immediate pain relief. The anti-inflammatory properties of the steroids used in the injection have helped many patients improve their condition. The steroids also provide stabilization to the aforementioned membrane helping to interrupt the process of ion conduction.
There are a few occasions that permit caudal steroid injections to be the suggested method of treatment. This is because this epidural injection is most likely to positively treat the specified back pain conditions of the patient. These conditions include:
The patient will be instructed to lay on their stomach for this procedure to be performed. A cushion is then placed underneath the stomach area for added comfort and to properly arch the back. After the patient is properly positioned, the procedure is ready to take place. The process can be broken down into 5 steps:
The anesthetic numbs the skin down to the sacral hiatus.
The physician follows the anesthetized track to the epidural space.
Once the needle reaches the sacral hiatus space, a non-allogeneic solution is injected. This helps the physician view the diseased area of the patient with the fluoroscope.
An injection bathes the painful area with a steroid-anesthetics mix.
The needle is removed and a small surface wound is bandaged.
This process may need to be repeated as many as three times in some instances to ensure the patient fully benefits from the applied medication. Swelling caused by spinal conditions are to be reduced as a result of this process, allowing individuals to return to their daily activities as soon as the next day. This procedure may be repeated multiple times a year for extended relief.
The pain experts at Garden State Pain Control can analyze your specific chronic back pain and pursue the option of a Caudal Steroid Injection if necessary. Request an appointment today at one of our New Jersey locations and take the first step on the road to a life free of chronic back pain.