Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
CERVICAL TRANSFORMATIONAL EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION
What is a Cervical Transformational Epidural Steroid Injection?
This injection procedure is performed to relieve neck, shoulder and arm pain related to compression of a nerve root in the cervical spine. Conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis compressed nerves, causing inflammation and pain. The medication injected helps decrease the swelling of nerves.
Preparation for the procedure
Your Pain MD Houston physician uses a fluoroscope to locate the appropriate cervical vertebra and nerve root. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin. All the tissue down to the surface of the vertebral transverse process is anesthetized.
What is the procedure like?
The physician slides a thin needle with a slightly curved tip through the anesthetized track. With the aid of a fluoroscope, the physician carefully guides the needle into the foraminal space near the nerve root.
The physician and injects a contrast solution and uses the fluoroscope to confirm the correct position of the needle tip.
What can I expect post-procedure?
A steroid-anesthetics mix is injected into the foraminal epidural space, bathing the painful nerve root with soothing medication. The needle is removed, and a small bandage is applied. In most cases, the patient will be able to return home the same day.