How an Epidural Injection Can Help Your Sciatica

Herniated discs in lumbar spine (low back) can compress the sciatica nerve causing a condition called sciatica.  Sciatic pain can radiate into the buttocks and even down the leg into the foot.  The symptoms of sciatica can make it difficult to sleep or even to walk at times. You may find that over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen don’t even touch it.

An epidural steroid injection that delivers medication to the source of your pain is effective for many patients and may be exactly what you need to relieve your sciatica. In this post, the physicians at Glaser Pain Relief Center explain more about how epidural injections can help your sciatica.

What is sciatica?

Your sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your lower back and branches down through both of your buttocks, hips, and legs. When this nerve becomes inflamed, it causes a condition that is called sciatica.

Sciatica is sometimes caused by a condition in your back, such as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc. Other common causes of sciatica include:

• Age
• Obesity
• Prolonged sitting
• Certain occupations, especially those that require you to twist your back, carry heavy loads, or sit a lot, including truck drivers
• Diabetes

Pregnancy is another common cause, although the sciatica usually disappears after delivery.

The symptoms of sciatica

Sciatica most often only affects one side of your body at a time. It causes several symptoms that are often chronic, including:

• Tingling or numbness in your leg
• Recurring pain in your buttock or leg
• Pain that intensifies when you sit down
• Pain that reaches down your leg and possibly even to your foot and toes
• Burning or searing leg pain
• Difficulty moving your leg, foot, or toes
• Difficulty standing up or walking

The pain of sciatica can be intermittent or frequent. It can also be mildly irritating or extremely debilitating.

Treating sciatica

Finding the right treatment for your sciatica is often challenging. When you see one of the physicians at Glaser Pain Relief Center, the first thing they do is perform a comprehensive physician exam. It’s important for them to understand your symptoms before they recommend a treatment plan for you.

They may recommend options including lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise and proper posture, physical therapy, prescription pain medication, an epidural steroid injection, spinal cord stimulation, or the Vertiflex® Superion® procedure.

How an epidural steroid injection can help

An epidural steroid injection is designed to provide relief of back pain and sciatica caused by a variety of conditions of the lumbar spine. The injection of a long-lasting steroid and an anesthetic agent go to work directly at the source of the pain in your spine. It’s a longer-lasting and more powerful method of pain relief than oral steroid medications or painkillers.  Epidural steroid injections are not merely a Band-Aid, but actually a treatment for herniated discs and spinal stenosis causing sciatica.

When any branch of the sciatic nerve is impinged by a disc or spinal stenosis an inflammatory response takes place that can make the pain much worse.  An epidural steroid injection works by reducing the inflammation around the nerve by working directly at the source of the issue. 

Epidural steroid injections are safe and well-tolerated by most people. No two spines or patients are alike, so it is impossible to predict how long an epidural steroid injection will work.  Many patients end up having a series of three epidurals to provide the most optimal long-term relief.

If you have sciatica and are tired of dealing with the pain, an epidural steroid injection may offer the relief you seek. Contact Glaser Pain Relief Center today by calling the office in Encino, California, or by requesting an appointment online through our convenient booking tool.