Everything You Need to Know About Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections
Friday, August 23, 2024
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Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection Review: Procedure, Recovery, Risks & Benefits
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are one of the most successful treatments for sciatica. Transforaminal epidurals can be effective at reducing pain and inflammation, especially for those suffering from back or neck pain. Transforaminal epidurals are often used to treat conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, spinal cord compression caused by tumors or bone spurs, and post-operative pain. Transforaminal epidurals can be given in conjunction with medication or physical therapy for maximum results.
There are many risks, benefits, and steps involved with this treatment. If you are considering Transforaminal epidural steroid injections or if you know someone who might benefit from them, read on to learn more about what they entail!
What is Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection?
Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a procedure that involves the insertion of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication through the Transforaminal space. The transforaminal space is located at the back of your spine, between two vertebrae where nerves exit to go to other parts of your body. This area can become compressed by bone spurs or other tissues, which can cause pain. By injecting medication directly into this space, the inflammation and compression will be reduced, leading to less pain.
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection Review
Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a safe procedure that effectively reduces back and neck pain. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections can help sciatica patients who have not had success with other therapies like medication or physical therapy. Transforaminal epidural steroids are an option for those suffering from chronic back and neck pain.
We’ve done a detailed transformational epidural steroid injection review if you’re looking to get this procedure.
Procedure (How it is done):
Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done in an outpatient environment. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are most commonly performed with the patient lying face-down or sitting up and typically take less than 30 minutes to complete.
The doctor performing Transforaminal epidural steroids will first locate where your spine meets your back and then inject Xylocaine (anesthetic) into the Transforaminal space using a smaller needle than they normally would use for placing medication directly into your spine. Although this step may sound scary, it only takes about ten seconds! Next, medicine such as corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory agents may also be injected through the same small opening to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are done using fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray), which helps to ensure that the needle is placed in precisely the right place without causing further damage to your spine or surrounding tissues.
Benefits:
- Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a treatment that can provide immediate relief from pain and inflammation.
- Transforaminal epidural steroids are minimally invasive, so recovery times after Transforaminal epidural injections tend to be brief – many patients report returning to work within the first day or two of receiving Transforaminal epidurals.
- Transforaminal epidural steroids are also one of the most successful treatments for sciatica.
- Transforaminal epidurals are often used to treat conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis, sciatica, spinal cord compression caused by tumors or bone spurs, or even post-operative pain.
- Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are often used as the first line of defense against back and neck pain before moving on to more aggressive treatments like surgery.
- Transforaminal epidurals can be given in conjunction with medication or physical therapy for maximum results.
Risks:
Although Transforaminal epidural steroids are a safe procedure, there is some risk of complications especially if you do not get the procedure done at the right clinic and with the right doctor:
- One potential complication from transforaminal epidurals is nerve damage – although transforaminal epidural steroid injections have been shown to reduce the need for surgery or other invasive procedures in many cases, they can also cause these same problems if they are not done correctly.
- Transforaminal epidural steroid injections can cause some people to experience more pain or numbness immediately after the procedure, especially if they have a history of back surgery or other spinal procedures in the past.
- Transforaminal epidurals may also mask the symptoms of serious conditions like cancer and tumors that require urgent attention.
- Transforaminal epidural steroids can sometimes cause headaches, but the risk is very low – typically less than one percent.
- Transforaminal epidurals can also increase pressure in your spine, which may make it difficult for you to bend over or do other activities like driving a car (although this usually resolves within three days).
- Transforaminal epidurals can also cause problems if the transforaminal space becomes compromised or is blocked by a tumor, blood clot, infection, air bubble, or other foreign body.
Recovery time:
Transforaminal epidural steroids typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. Transforaminal epidurals have been shown to reduce the need for surgery or other invasive procedures in many cases. Hence, recovery times tend to be quick – most patients can return home and resume normal activities within a day of receiving transforaminal epidural steroid injection.
Side Effects:
While Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are generally safe, there is a very small risk of complications. Some of the potential side effects of Transforaminal epidural steroid injections include:
- Nerve damage
- More pain or numbness immediately after the procedure
- Headache
- Increased pressure in your spine
- Difficulty bending over or doing other activities
- Compromised transforaminal space due to a tumor, blood clot, infection, air bubble, or foreign body.
Costs:
Most health insurance providers usually cover Transforaminal epidural injections. A transforaminal epidural steroid injection can cost anywhere from $200 to over $1000, depending on the number of sites being injected and any complications that may arise during or after the procedure.
Best Doctors to use for Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections
The following are the best doctors to use for Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections:
Dr. Bharat C. Patel
If you’re looking for the best doctor for transforaminal epidural steroid injection, Dr. Bharat C. Patel is the best choice. He is one of the physicians at Deuk Spine Institute and has been named by the highly respected Becker’s Orthopedic Spine and Pain Management Review as one of the “12 Great Physicians in Florida.”
Dr. Bharat C. Patel’s credentials include board certifications in physiatry, sports medicine, electrodiagnostic, pain medicine, and interventional pain management. Fewer than one in 10,000 physicians nationwide are quintuple board certified.
Dr. Bharat C. Patel was chosen in 2014 by the Chairman and CEO of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians to serve as an examiner for the national American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians examinations. Dr. Bharat C. Patel had the highest score of all physicians in the country when he completed the examination.
Dr. Patel completed his internship in surgery at Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester in New Rochelle, New York, a residency at New York University School of Medicine, and a fellowship in interventional pain management in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Patel graduated from Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College in Ahmedabad, India, with a bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery. The degree is the equivalent of a Doctor of Medicine degree in the United States. Dr. Patel is a U.S. citizen and a registered Florida state medical care practitioner.
Dr. Patel performs both non-interventional and interventional spine pain management therapies. He treats arthritis of the spine and facet joint pain with injections for pain. Patients travel from all over to get treated by Dr. Patel because of his commitment to their health and wellbeing.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bharat Patel at Deuk Spine Institute
Ralph B. Wheeler
Ralph B. Wheeler, M.D. is a board-certified pain management physician and is board-certified and fellowship-trained in Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology. After earning his degree from Stony Brook, Dr. Wheeler completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Mountainside Hospital before completing residency training and receiving several awards for excellence during this time period, including the prestigious Award Of Excellence From The American Board For Graduate Medical Education(Awarded Together With His Partner). He completed a fellowship program at Albany Medical College, where he also achieved great success!
His experience includes helping patients with persistent, painful spinal conditions, including disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery syndrome. He has further honed his skills under the mentorship of Drs Bryan J Massoud to provide endoscopic spine procedures for those who suffer from these spinal conditions.
Dr. Amol Soin, MD
Dr. Amol Soin is the medical director of Ohio Pain Clinic in Centerville, Ohio. He offers various comprehensive care for managing chronic pain and various spinal disorders. Dr. Amol Soin uses an integrative approach to identify the various causes of pain and symptoms to improve his patient’s overall health and wellness.
Dr. Soin is triple board-certified in pain management and a board-certified anesthesiologist. He is currently a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Soin was raised in Dayton, Ohio, and earned his medical degree at the University of Akron. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at Rush University in Chicago and finished his fellowship training in pain management at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
Effectiveness of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are a safe and effective way to reduce pain and inflammation, especially for those suffering from back or neck pain. Transforaminal epidurals are often used to treat conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis, sciatica, spinal cord compression caused by tumors or bone spurs, or even post-operative pain.
Is More than One Injection Necessary?
Generally, one Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is all that is needed for most people. However, a second injection may be necessary to achieve the desired results in some cases. Your doctor will be able to determine if you need more than one injection and will help you develop a treatment plan that is best suited to your individual needs.
How long does a transforaminal epidural steroid injection last?
A Transforaminal epidural steroid injection typically lasts between six and 12 months. However, the effects of the injection will vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more specific information about how long the Transforaminal epidural steroid injection should last for you.
How long does it take for a transforaminal epidural steroid injection to work?
Transforaminal epidural steroid injection can take several days to begin relieving pain. Transforaminal epidurals are usually given in conjunction with physical therapy or other treatments, so it is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the timing of these therapies relative to Transforaminal epidural steroid injections.
The Epidural Difference at Deuk Laser Spine
Many patients wonder why going to any clinic over another for a spinal injection is necessary, after all, it should be as simple as inserting a needle into the affected region and delivering medication, right? It isn’t that simple. Every patient is different, and taking a generic, cookie-cutter approach to injections is a surefire path to improper diagnosis.
The result of poorly administered epidural injections can be treatments with no relief and even the recommendation of unnecessary spinal surgery.
The reason patients travel from Orlando, South Florida, and the Space Coast to be treated at Deuk Spine Institute is because we are dedicated to your health and well-being. Patients receive a thorough review of their symptoms and work closely with our Interventional Pain Management Specialists to begin a course of treatment, which may include physical therapy, conservative pain management options, and sometimes epidural steroid injections.
Not Every Patient Needs Surgery
In fact, almost 9 out of every 10 patients that come to Deuk Spine Institute from other spine surgeons do not need the recommended surgery but instead are in need of some form of therapy or pain management to allow proper healing.
This is what makes Deuk Spine Institute different and sets our trusted comprehensive care above the rest.
“I am essentially pain-free since my spinal epidural injections. I wish to thank you, Dr. Bharat Patel, I have been so pleased with this amazing treatment! I enjoyed the friendly, efficient staff at Deuk Spine Institute.”
Dartha
If you would like to enjoy premium patient-oriented care delivered by world-class physicians, contact us at Deuk Spine Institute today. We also offer free consultation on your MRI scan. Visit our site here to start your treatment. Submit your MRI for a free review with our team.