EPIDURAL NERVE BLOCK INJECTIONS

Edited by, SOWNDHARYA

It's an injection that goes into the epidural space, which is right outside of the membrane that protects the spinal cord. Doctors use epidural injections to relieve pain during and after surgery, as well as managing chronic pain. This procedure isn't right for every case. But if it's an option, it requires a lower dose of medicine and as a result has fewer side effects. Epidurals may even give longer lasting pain-relief while helping the patient stay more alert and mobile.

EPIDURAL NERVE BLOCKS

This is one of the most common uses of an epidural. It's a type of anaesthesia that may be administered during surgery to anaesthetise spinal nerves and prevent pain signals from travelling to the brain. It usually begins to work in only 10 to 20 minutes.

A nerve block is administered through a small flexible catheter, that goes near the spine at the small of the back and delivers the medicine nonstop. Thus the patient feels no pain during the surgery. So the patient can still able to feel touch and pressure. In fact, even though the patient will not feel pain in the lower portion of their body, they may still be able to walk around with some help. For these reasons, doctors usually recommend the use of an epidural nerve block when a woman chooses to get anaesthesia during childbirth.

Side-effects include a drop in blood pressure, trouble urinating, and headache. Rare complications include bleeding in the epidural space, nerve damage, and infection.

EPIDURAL INJECTIONS

Some epidural injections are done with different medications, including steroids, to reduce pain and inflammation in the back, neck, arms, or legs.

The doctor will use an X-ray with a special dye to insert the needle in the right spot. They will choose a location along the spine from the bottom of the neck to the tailbone that is closest to the nerve causing the pain.

CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE TREATED BY AN EPIDURAL INJECTION INCLUDE: 

Pinched nerve

Pain radiating from the spine

Herniated disc

Spinal stenosis

The procedure can take as little as 15 minutes and the numbing part of the shot may start to work fairly quickly. The amount of time the pain relief lasts is different for each person. This type of injection doesn't always bring pain relief. But if it does, the benefits can last up to a few months.

Doctors may also use epidural injections to find the source of thw patient's pain. In this case, the injection will target a specific nerve. If it helps their pain, the doctor will know they've found the right nerve. A common side-effect is that you may feel more pain until the medicine begins to work. Rarer side-effects include bleeding, temporary numbness or weakness, infection, headache, or nerve damage.

WHO SHOULDN'T GET AN EPIDURAL?

There are a number of conditions that may make it risky to get an epidural

Blood clotting problems

Anaesthesia drug allergies

An infection

Uncontrolled diabetes

Some other medications you're taking