Epidural

What is Epidural?

Epidural is almost known as Epidural Analgesia is a form of regional analgesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation and a loss of pain, by blocking the transmission of signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.

Purpose of Epidural

The injection reduces the inflammation or swelling of nerves in the epidural space. This will reduce pain, tingling & numbness and other symptoms caused by nerve inflammation, irritation or swelling.

How is Epidural Injected

The patient may be in the sitting position or lateral position. He/She will be asked to slouch and bend forward slightly from the waist and draw the knees up to the chin for as to increase the curvature of the spine. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. The skin in the back is cleaned with antiseptic solution and then the injection is carried out. sometime is may be done under X-Ray guidance.

After Procedure

After the injection, you may feel your legs are heavier and numb. You may also notice that your pain may be gone or quite less. This will last for a few hours and the pain will return and you may have a “sore back” for a few days. This is due to the mechanical process of needle insertion as well as initial irritation form the steroid itself. You should start noticing pain relief soon after that.

How long will Epidural last?

The effect will start kicking in a few days time and it will last as long as a few months time.

SELF-DIAGNOSE CAN BRING MORE HARM THAN TREATING IT. IT IS GOOD TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE INJURY BUT DEFINITELY NOT TO THE POINT OF SELF-TREATMENT. IT WILL BE MUCH SAFER TO GET TREATED BY OUR DOCTOR FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH ORTHOPAEDICS, YOU CAN CONTACT US, THE HOTLINE IS OPEN 24 HOURS. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US AN ENQUIRY FOR ANKLE PAIN, BACK PAIN, ELBOW PAIN, HAND PAIN, HIP PAIN, KNEE PAIN, SHOULDER PAIN OR FOR AN APPOINTMENT.