Epidural Injection
Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley, S.C. • APPLETON OFFICE 820 East Grant Street Suite 335 Appleton, WI 54911 920-733-7230 or 877-733-7230 920-733-7231 (fax) • NEENAH OFFICE 100 Medical Office Plaza Suite A252 Neenah, WI 54956 (920)733-7230 (920)729-0347 (fax) OUR MEDICAL STAFF A.E. Yakovlev M.D. Arthur A. Padilla M.D. Beth Resch APNP Dia M. Welch MSN, APNP Email This Page		WHAT IS AN EPIDURAL INJECTION? An epidural injection is an injection of medication into the epidural space of the spine in order to relieve pain. HOW DOES AN EPIDURAL INJECTION ALLEVIATE MY PAIN? An injury or disease in any of the structures of the spine (discs, nerves, ligaments, and joints) may result in inflammation. This inflammation can apply pressure to the area surrounding the nerves, resulting in pain. An epidural injection is given in an attempt to reduce this inflammation and pain. Epidurals can be used to treat back, neck, arm or leg pain. A combination of two medications is used in this injection: a local anesthetic and a steroid. The local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief by numbing the area of the injection. The numbing effect will typically wear off in 4–6 hours. The steroid provides pain relief by reducing the inflammation in the area of the injection. The steroid can take 2–10 days to begin working. A series of injections may be needed to provide the desired pain relief. POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS ACTIVITY: - Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure. - Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the rest of the day. - Normal activity can be resumed on the following day, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. - No heavy lifting for several days after the injection. DIET: - Resume your regular diet. PATIENT COMFORT: - Keep the injection site clean and dry. You may shower. - If you have a dressing, it can be removed the following day. - Take medication as prescribed by your doctor. - You may take Extra Strength Tylenol, 2 tablets, every four hours as needed for pain. - An ice pack can be applied to the injection site once the effect of the local anesthetic wears off. The ice pack should be applied for no more than 20 minutes at a time. SYMPTOMS TO REPORT: - Rash or itching - Stomach pain - Numbness that lasts longer than 24 hours. - Note any side effects such as headache, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or loss of bladder control. Such side effects are rare, and typically subside within 24 hours. - (Patients with Diabetes) You may experience a worsening of diabetic symptoms (excessive thirst, excessive urination, elevated blood sugars). Check your blood sugar twice a day for 2 weeks following the injections. Call your physician who is managing your diabetes if you experience any increase in symptoms. If you have any questions or concerns related to your treatment, please contact Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley S.C.

Epidural Injection

Comprehensive
Pain Management
of the Fox Valley, S.C.

• APPLETON OFFICE
820 East Grant Street
Suite 335
Appleton, WI 54911
920-733-7230 or
877-733-7230
920-733-7231 (fax)

• NEENAH OFFICE
100 Medical Office Plaza
Suite A252
Neenah, WI 54956
(920)733-7230
(920)729-0347 (fax)

OUR MEDICAL STAFF
A.E. Yakovlev M.D.
Arthur A. Padilla M.D.
Beth Resch APNP
Dia M. Welch MSN, APNP

Email This Page

WHAT IS AN EPIDURAL INJECTION?

An epidural injection is an injection of medication into the epidural space of the spine in order to relieve pain.

HOW DOES AN EPIDURAL INJECTION ALLEVIATE MY PAIN?

An injury or disease in any of the structures of the spine (discs, nerves, ligaments, and joints) may result in inflammation. This inflammation can apply pressure to the area surrounding the nerves, resulting in pain. An epidural injection is given in an attempt to reduce this inflammation and pain. Epidurals can be used to treat back, neck, arm or leg pain.

A combination of two medications is used in this injection: a local anesthetic and a steroid. The local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief by numbing the area of the injection. The numbing effect will typically wear off in 4–6 hours. The steroid provides pain relief by reducing the inflammation in the area of the injection. The steroid can take 2–10 days to begin working. A series of injections may be needed to provide the desired pain relief.

POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVITY:

     - Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure.
     - Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the rest of the day.
     - Normal activity can be resumed on the following day, unless otherwise instructed by
        your doctor.
     - No heavy lifting for several days after the injection.

DIET:

- Resume your regular diet.

PATIENT COMFORT:

     - Keep the injection site clean and dry. You may shower.
     - If you have a dressing, it can be removed the following day.
     - Take medication as prescribed by your doctor.
     - You may take Extra Strength Tylenol, 2 tablets, every four hours as needed for pain.
     - An ice pack can be applied to the injection site once the effect of the local
        anesthetic wears off. The ice pack should be applied for no more than 20 minutes
        at a time.

SYMPTOMS TO REPORT:

     - Rash or itching
     - Stomach pain
     - Numbness that lasts longer than 24 hours.

     - Note any side effects such as headache, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs,
        or loss of bladder control. Such side effects are rare, and typically subside within
        24 hours.

     - (Patients with Diabetes) You may experience a worsening of diabetic symptoms
        (excessive thirst, excessive urination, elevated blood sugars). Check your blood
        sugar twice a day for 2 weeks following the injections. Call your physician who is
        managing your diabetes if you experience any increase in symptoms.

If you have any questions or concerns related to your treatment, please contact Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley S.C.