Epidural Injections

If conservative measures of treatment don’t ease your back or neck pain, you may benefit from treatment with an epidural injection. At Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Francis Pecoraro, MD, DAPMR, SAAPMR, regularly uses epidural injections to limit back and extremity pain and chronic pain caused by inflammation. To see if you’re a candidate for an epidural injection, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is an epidural injection?

An epidural injection is a type of interventional pain management treatment that provides relief from pain caused by inflammation affecting your spine, legs, or arms. 

During an epidural injection, Dr. Pecoraro injects medication into the area in the spinal canal, known as the epidural space. 

Epidural injections usually feature a combination of medications, including steroids and local anesthetics. 

To ensure the best possible results, Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC, uses guided x-ray imaging for the procedure, also known as fluoroscopy, to place the needle in the specific location that triggers your discomfort. This process ensures safety and accuracy, and can yield longer-lasting results.

What are some conditions that can benefit from an epidural injection?

Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC, uses epidural injections to relieve a variety of pain-related conditions, including:

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Injuries to spinal nerves
• Injury to vertebrae

You might also benefit from an epidural injection if you’re experiencing pain caused by bone spurs. 

Am I a candidate for an epidural injection?

If you suffer from chronic pain and you’ve tried various forms of conservative care, including ice and heat therapy, rest, and lifestyle changes, you may be a good candidate for an epidural injection. 

Following an exam, review of your medical history, and discussion of your symptoms, Dr. Pecoraro can formulate an interventional pain management treatment plan that aligns with your individual goals and needs. 

What happens during an epidural injection?

Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC, performs epidural injections as an outpatient procedure, meaning you return home on the same day of your appointment. 

Once you enter the treatment room, you lie on your stomach. The staff will place vital sign monitors (blood pressure cuff, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen level monitor).  

Dr. Pecoraro determines your treatment site, and your skin is cleansed with an antiseptic solution. If you are receiving sedation, the licensed nurse anesthetist will administer the medication through your IV. 

Next, Dr. Pecoraro administers a local anesthetic along the skin over the treatment area to limit any discomfort the epidural injection may cause. After the local anesthetic takes effect, Dr. Pecoraro uses guided imaging to find the ideal needle position for your epidural injection. 

Once in the epidural space, he injects a contrast solution to highlight the target area, and then slowly injects the appropriate treatment medication. 

What is the recovery process like following an epidural injection?

Following your epidural injection, you return home. Since you may feel slightly groggy from sedation or sore, it’s important to have a friend or family member on hand who can drive you home from the office. 

In the days after your injection, you may experience some bruising or mild pain at the injection site, but this should subside within 48 hours. 

To see if you’re a candidate for an epidural injection for pain relief, request an appointment at Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC, today; call the office or use the online booking tool to begin.