What Having An Epidural Steroid Injection Houston Entails

By David Adams


Even after receiving multiple treatments, spinal pains can usually prove to be a big bother causing individual sleepless nights. As a way of ensuring patients get fast relief, doctors usually recommend them to undergo an epidural steroid injection Houston which is usually done in the spine. One should however not consider it similar to other injections as it is very sensitive. It involves injecting into the spinal cord a very critical organ in our body.

Getting sedated is usually a very simple procedure involving first the numbing of the area around where the needle will go through. This is done by injecting a local anesthesia. After sedation, the procedure usually takes very few minutes. It involves injecting the epidural steroid into the spinal cord. The number of injections to be administered usually depends on how responsive one is to the treatment after receiving the first injection.

There are multiple causes that can result in one getting an epidural injection. Ruptured and bulging disks are usually a common cause in many patients and can usually result in a lot of pain. Another common cause is usually protrusion of bones which usually end up piercing into the spinal cord. Since the spinal cord contains many nerve endings, even the slightest of protrusions can result in a lot of pain.

Although considered a safe procedure with very few complications likely to arise, one is exposed to a number of risks if they decide to undergo this procedure. Infections can arise as a result of the needle getting some bacteria from the skin. This usually results in meningitis. Dural puncture can also arise and this can also be accompanied by occasional bleeding.

Side effects have also been reported in a few of these patients. The most common of them all have been arthritis, ulcers and even cataracts have also been reported among patience. In mild cases some patients have reported allergies as a result of x rays radiation they are exposed to during the procedure.

Incase one experiences this side effects and complications such as bleeding, they should immediately consult the doctor as spinal related complications can be life threatening and result in paralysis. In some situations even brain damage. Mild side effects such as a head aches can be treated by one getting enough rest usually in a sleeping position. Movements should be avoided while one is resting ensuring one is well hydrated during the whole process.

Due to the sensitivity of the procedure, it is always good to ensure that you get a certified medical practitioner to do it. Such an injection should not be administered as a result of an over the counter prescription but rather upon proper medical testing. The procedure can be repeated multiple times without posing any major health complication.

With the procedure done in a professional manner the patient is sure to experience relief from previous pain experienced and fully heal from the injection. The epidural steroid injection as a result of its efficiency in relieving spinal pain has thus become very common not only among the old but also the middle aged people in our society.




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