- A caudal epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that may benefit patients suffering from chronic pain in the low back, rectal or groin.
- The procedure injects a pain medication through an opening in the sacrum, which is the triangular bone located in the low back.
- The pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center discuss the benefits of a caudal epidural steroid injection for certain chronic pain conditions.
A caudal epidural steroid injection contains a combination of steroid medications and anesthetics to reduce the swelling, pain and discomfort of irritated spinal nerves in the low back, rectal or groin regions.
These injections may be beneficial for patients with sciatica, herniated discs, bone spurs or other low-back conditions. Your pain management physician at Southwest Spine and Pain Center may recommend a caudal epidural steroid injection for your condition. If he does, below are a few things you can expect from the procedure:
Before the treatment is administered, patients will lie down on their abdomen on a special x-ray table. An intravenous medication may be provided to help ease discomfort and pain during the procedure. Once sedation process has begun, the physician will then numb the area being treated. With the help of a fluoroscope, or x-ray imaging device, the physician will insert a thin needle into the projected location.
As soon as the needle is in place, the physician will then inject a contrast solution to ensure the needle is in the correct area. If the needle is in the correct position and location, the physician will administer the pain mediation that provides both immediate and long-term pain relief. The procedure should be completed within 30 minutes, and patients can expect to return home that same day.
Depending on the patient’s symptoms and condition, patients may experience weeks or months of considerable pain relief. If a patient does not respond well to the treatment, other pain management therapies may be considered. Talk to your Southwest Spine and Pain Center physician about whether or not a caudal epidural steroid injection may be right for you.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With multiple locations across the state of Utah, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.