Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections

Overview

A Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection is a procedure where corticosteroid medications are injected into the epidural space, which is the area between the spinal column and the spinal cord. This treatment is used to reduce inflammation of the nerve roots and alleviate pain caused by various spinal conditions. It is effective in reducing spinal pain and inflammation. It can also alleviate pain that radiates from the spine to other areas such as the arms, legs, and feet.

During a transforaminal epidural steroid injection, a needle is inserted through the foramen (an opening in the spine) and steroid medications are injected around the protective space of the spinal cord. This injection is not directly into the spinal cord or nerves but into a safe space surrounding them.

Healthcare providers use Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections to treat:

1. Lower back pain
2. Sciatica
3. Spinal stenosis
4. Foraminal stenosis
5. Herniated disk
6. Spinal compression (causing a pinched nerve)
7. Spondylolysis
8. Spondylolisthesis
9. Scoliosis
10. Bone spurs
11. Spinal nerve damage

Types of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections are,

1. Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections treat nerves in your lower back. When inflamed, these nerves can cause lower back pain or radiating leg pain.
2. Thoracic Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections treat nerves in the middle portion of your back. When inflamed, these nerves can cause middle back pain or radiating chest or belly pain.
3. Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections treat nerves in your neck and the upper portion of your spine. When inflamed, these nerves can cause neck pain, radiating shoulder and arm pain, or hand pain.

Procedure

During the procedure, the patient will lie on their stomach on an X-ray table. The healthcare provider will administer a local anesthetic to numb the patient’s skin, which may cause a slight burning or pinching sensation. Intravenous sedation can also be given to increase comfort, although the patient will remain awake and able to communicate.

Once the patient is comfortable, the provider will begin the procedure. Using fluoroscopy for guidance, they will insert a long, thin needle into the patient’s back, targeting the specific nerve root causing their pain. They will then inject a mixture of anesthetic for temporary pain relief and steroid medications for longer-term relief. The entire procedure typically takes about 30 minutes.