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Disc protrusions, arthritic spine degeneration, pregnancy and injury can inflame or irritate certain joints or nerve roots, causing low back or leg pain. We offer several injections to help reduce your pain.

Epidural Steroid Injection
Why should I have an Epidural Steroid Injection? Performed on patients with low back and leg pain caused by inflammation or irritation of the lumbar spine nerve roots, Epidural Steroid Injections can be useful as a therapeutic tool for treating acute and chronic inflammatory conditions due to disc protrusions or arthritic spine degeneration.

Where is an Epidural Steroid Injection performed? This procedure can be performed in one of two locations. Injections performed in the office are placed into the lumbar spine region, without x-rays, while injections performed in the ambulatory surgical center are placed into the sacral spine region, with x-ray localization.

How is an Epidural Steroid Injection done? Prior to performing the Epidural Steroid Injection, your physician will cleanse your back with antiseptic solution and numb your skin with anesthetic.

Using anatomic landmarks, the physician directs a needle through the back into the epidural space (the space around the sac that holds the nerve roots). If an x-ray unit (a C-arm fluoroscope) is used, the position of the needle is occasionally verified by injecting a small amount of contrast dye through the needle into this region. Once the localization is appropriate, a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the epidural space. The steroid works in the epidural space as well as over the exiting nerve roots.

After the procedure.
  • You should have a ride home.
  • While you can perform tolerable activities, we advise you to      take it easy for a day or so after the procedure.
  • You should be able to return to work the next day unless the      procedure was complicated.

    Sacroiliac Joint Injections
    Who can benefit from a Sacroiliac Joint Injection? Sacroiliac Joint Injections are recommended for patients with low back pain caused by inflammation from an abnormal loading of the joint connecting the vertebral column to the pelvis. While pregnancy and post spinal fusion can cause this inflammation, it can result from other injuries. Sacroiliac Joint Injections are useful as a therapeutic tool for this condition. It may be used as an adjunct to physical or manipulative therapy.

    How is a Sacroiliac Joint Injection done? In the x-ray room, your doctor will clean your back with antiseptic solution and numb your skin with anesthetic prior to performing the Sacroiliac Injections.

    With the aid of an x-ray unit (a C-arm fluoroscope), the physician directs a needle through the back into the specific region to be injected. Once the localization is appropriate, a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the sacroiliac joint. The anesthetic and steroid combination is able to work in the joint as well as around the surrounding soft tissues.

    After the procedure.
  • After your injection, you will need to be observed for a short      time, often 30 minutes.
  • It is recommended that you have someone drive you home      afterward.
  • If you feel comfortable, it is often possible to return to work      the same day.

    Selective Nerve Root Block/Facet Injections
    Who should have a Selective Nerve Root Block/Facet Injection? Patients who suffer from low back and leg pain caused by inflammation or irritation of specific nerve roots can greatly benefit from Selective Nerve Root Block/Facet Injections. While Selective Nerve Root Blocks/Facets Injections are used as a therapeutic tool for treating inflammatory conditions, it can also be used as a diagnostic tool to help determine if surgical intervention would be beneficial.

    How is a Selective Nerve Root Block/Facet Injection done? In the x-ray room, your doctor will clean your back with antiseptic solution and numb your skin with anesthetic prior to performing the Selective Nerve Root or Facet Injection.

    With the aid of an x-ray unit (a C-arm fluoroscope), the physician directs a needle through the back into the opening through which the nerve root passes. The position of the nerve root is verified by injecting a small amount of contrast dye through the needle into this region. Once the localization is appropriate, a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the foramen/facet. The steroid works into the epidural space as well as over the exiting nerve root.

    After the procedure.
  • After the injection, you will need to be observed for a short      time, often 30 minutes.
  • It is recommended that you have someone drive you home      afterward.
  • If you feel comfortable, it is often possible to return to work      the same day.
  • You may have some weakness and numb sensation for      several hours after the procedure.

    If you have any questions about these procedures, please contact us.

    T: 330-677-3628  F: 330-677-362
    Western Reserve Spine & Pain Institute
    307 W. Main St., Kent, Ohio 44240

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