Why have a spinal injection?
Spinal injections are performed as a treatment, to reduce pain and inflammation within the spine, as a well as a diagnostic tool to confirm a suspected cause of the symptoms, thus allowing appropriate planning of further treatment. Spinal Injections
Caudal Epidural
The epidural space surrounds the spinal nerves but still within the central spinal canal. The needle is placed within this space and is similar to a NRSI, but treats several nerves. This is beneficial if several areas are affected, but does not have the same diagnostic ability as a NRSI.
How is a Caudal Epidural performed?
The patient lies on their front on the operating table. Local anaesthetic is injected in to the lower back at the very bottom just above the coccyx.
The skin is infiltrated with local anaesthetic and then IT is used to guide a special needle into position within the epidural space. Once the needle appears to be in a satisfactory position a dye is injected to confirm the correct position and then the local anaesthetic and steroid is injected into the epidural space, which then flows up around the nerve roots.
Post Procedure Recovery
Immediately following the procedure, patients spend approximately 30minutes within he recovery area of theatres where they are monitored. Following this, they are able to be discharged home.
- Patients will be unable to drive home and should not drive the following day.
- Patients are able to mobilize as comfortable but should take the following day off work.
- Patients should only experience minor pain following the procedure.
- Physiotherapy should be commenced following the procedure.
Complications
Complications are very rare, but as the needle is near the nerves, spinal cord and arteries complications including infection, bleeding, nerve damage, paralysis and leakage of the cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the nerves, can occur. (See Complications section).
