Epidural Injections.

This fact sheet relates to epidural injections, a type of pain relieving injection which is performed at Melbourne Radiology Clinic.An epidural injection relieves pain by delivering pain reducing medication to the affected area. A CT (Computed Tomography) scan will be used to guide the procedure.

Patient Fact Sheets | Interventional Radiology | Back & Spinal Pain Injections | Epidural Injections

Epidural Injections

Introduction

Epidural injections are used to treat neck, back, arm and leg pain, depending on which level the needle is placed and exactly where in the epidural space.

Preparation

01There is no specific preparation required.
02Do you take any blood thinning (or anticoagulant) medications?

It is essential that Melbourne Radiology Clinic knows in advance of any blood thinning (or anticoagulant) medication.

These must be stopped prior to the procedure (Aspirin and Warfarin for 5 days, Plavix for 7 days & Iscover for 8 days).

03Bring along a support person / driver

We also strongly recommend that you bring a responsible person to drive you home afterwards.

NOTE:

Please discuss any medical illnesses with your referring doctor before booking the recommended procedure.

***
Important information to tell your doctor prior to treatment

Serious side effects are rare, however if you have an existing condition, this must be discussed with your referring doctor before having treatment. People with local skin or systemic infections are at greater risk of having an infection spreading into the spine after spinal injection treatment. Therefore, if you have a skin infection, which may include wounds, boils or rashes, please tell your doctor or arrange to have the procedure performed at a later date.

RISKS

Risks of spinal procedures are rare and include:
-Infection

most of these are minor (<1%), however can be serious (<0.1%) requiring hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics and surgery.

-Bleeding:

this is fortunately also rare and slightly common in patients with bleeding disorders and on “blood thinning” medication. Blood thinning medications that you are currently taking should be ceased (Aspirin and Warfarin for 5 days, Plavix for 7 days and Iscover for 8 days).

As these medications constantly evolve with advances in medicine, the times to cease these medications may vary with newer medications. Should you be on different medications, please contact us or the doctor who prescribed the medication for further advice.

-Nerve damage:

from direct needle trauma, or as a consequence of the above mentioned complications.

-Dural puncture:

this is when the needle penetrates into the sac encasing the nerves within the spinal canal, causing leakage of fluid contained within the sac, known as CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), that may result persistent headaches. The risk of this procedure is approximately less than 1% and is treated with flat bed rest for two hours..

Procedure

CT Guided
Epidural Injections

You will be asked to wear a gown with the selected area of the spine exposed. Epidural injections are usually completed with you lying face down in a CT scanner. We will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.

A series of planning images are performed, with the area of needle entry planned and then marked on your skin.

The radiologist will then clean your skin with an antiseptic wash and inject local anaesthetic into the injection site. This results in a stinging sensation which is temporary until the skin becomes numb, usually taking 10 seconds.

A fine needle is then passed through the skin and tissues, constantly manipulated under CT guidance until it enters the intended epidural space.

Gas or contrast is then injected to confirm the correct depth of the needle. Once confirmed, a mixture of cortisone and local anaesthetic is injected, which often results in an increased pressure sensation within the back and/or leg pain, usually described as a burning sensation.

The cortisone decreases the inflammation in the epidural space which is responsible for your symptoms.

Following your procedure & recovery

At most, you will feel some minor discomfort in the back. As local anaesthetic has been injected into the spine, most patients will be pain free, however the local anaesthetic that has also been administered into the epidural space frequently comes into contact with adjacent nerves and may result in your arm or leg (depending one whether the nerves in the neck or lower back have been injected) feeling numb, heavy, clumsy, weak or even cold. This usually reverses in approximately 20-40 minutes.

Most patients are observed in the clinic for at least 30 minutes and are discharged after this point only if walking safely and feeling well. You should not drive for the rest of the day. The following day you may return to work and gradually increase your activities.

Results &
Follow-Up

Your Images and Report

One of Melbourne Radiology Clinic’s specialist radiologists, a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of medical images for the purposes of providing a diagnosis, will then review the images and provide a formal written report. If medically urgent, or you have an appointment immediately after the scan to be seen by your doctor or health care provider, Melbourne Radiology Clinic will have your results ready without delay. Otherwise, the report will be received by your doctor or health care provider within the next 24 hours.

Follow-up Appointment

Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.

Your referring doctor or health care provider is the most appropriate person to explain to you the results of the scans and for this reason, we do not release the results directly to you.

Reminders

Previous Scans & Reports

Please bring to the clinic any prior scans (eg. X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI, CT) and reports as these will assist our radiologist in assessing your condition.

Any Referral Request Accepted

Please note that any referral for a scan is valid at Melbourne Radiology Clinic, even if it has been written or printed on a referral form or stationery supplied by another radiology provider.

If you have any further queries about your appointment please call Melbourne Radiology Clinic on (03) 9667 1667  – we are always only too happy to help.

Appointment Time

Whilst every effort is made to keep your appointment time, the special needs of complex cases, elderly and frail patients can cause unexpected delays. Your consideration and patience in these circumstances is appreciated.

Related Fact Sheets.
  • Back & Spinal Pain - Overview of Treatment & Pain Management Options, Interventional Radiology
    Back Pain – Patient Guide
  • Facet Joint Injection - Patient Guide
    Facet Joint Injection – Patient Fact Sheet
  • Selective nerve root block (SNRB) Injections - Patient Guide
    Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB)/Perineural Injection – Patient Fact Sheet
  • CT scan of a medial branch block injection
    Medial Branch Block – Patient Fact Sheet
  • Epidural Injections - Patient Guide
    Epidural Injections – Patient Guide
  • Discogram injection
    Discogram Injections – Patient Fact Sheet
  • Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injections - Patient Guide
    Sacroiliac Joint Injection – Patient Fact Sheet
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - Patient Guide
    Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – Patient Fact Sheet