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If you are suffering from low back or leg pain often called sciatica, you may have a herniated disc. Often times, a herniated disc is compressing or irritating the exiting nerve root, which sends a pain or numbness signal to the legs and feet. A lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection delivers a pain-relieving steroid and numbing medication to the affected spinal nerve root. This injection can significantly reduce the swelling and inflammation providing relief of pain and symptoms. If you have an MRI confirming a herniated disc, and conservative care including physical therapy, have not relieved your pain, you may be a candidate for a lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection.
In addition to pain relief, the transforaminal epidural steroid injection can be used diagnostically to confirm the affected spinal level and source of the pain. If the steroid provides temporary relief and the pain returns, patients may benefit from a least invasive spine procedure called an endoscopic discectomy
Best candidates for injection are patients suffering from sciatica, leg or chronic low back pain that has lasted for more than 12 weeks. If these patients have failed conservative treatments such as over the counter medication, and physical therapy, they could benefit from a transforaminal epidural steroid injection and least invasive surgery.
Injection is typically administered at the doctor’s office or a surgical center. The procedure is outpatient, least invasive, and takes about 25 minutes. Patients can be given conscious sedation of local skin numbing to be comfortable during the procedure. The patient will lie down on the procedure table and the low back will be cleaned and local anesthetic injected at the appropriate level. Using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray) the doctor will confirm and guide their needle to the affected exiting spinal nerve in your back to deliver the steroid and numbing medication.
Some patients experience soreness around the skin injection site for a few hours. It is recommended to rest and avoid physical activity immediately after the procedure. Most routine activities and work can be resumed the following day. Pain relief from the lumbar steroid injection typically begins shortly after the procedure and the duration of pain relief is variable and depends on the severity of the spinal condition. Some patients will experience short-term relief 2-5 days and some a few months.
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Dr. Marco Rodriguez is a board-certified and fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon who specializes in compassionate care for spine patients utilizing least invasive and minimally invasive spine surgery techniques.
Kenner LA Office 3705 Florida Ave.Kenner, LA 70065
Baton Rouge Office 606 Colonial Dr Ste A Baton Rouge, LA, 70806
Spinal Injections
Endoscopic Rhizotomy
Artificial Disc Replacement
(504) 620-5520