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INJECTIONS FOR YOUR BACK & NECK CERVICAL EPIDURAL CERVICALFACET BLOCKS LUMBAR EPIDURAL FACET BLOCKS ROOT BLOCKS A lumbar caudal epidural steroid injection is an outpatient procedure for treating low back and leg pain. Facet & root blocks are injection into a specific joints of spine and along the nerve roots as required. Introduction In a lumbar epidural injection, an anti-inflammatory medicine is injected into the epidural space to reduce inflammation. A local anesthetic (numbing medicine) may also be injected. When the injection is done through the bony opening in your tailbone then this is called a caudal epidural injection. An injection in a joint of the back is called a facet joint injection. An injection along the nerve root sleeve is called a root block. Getting Ready for Treatment : • Provide a list of all medicines you take, including aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. • Don’t eat 6 hours before the injection but you can have a light drink 4 hours before injection. • Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure. • Bring all X-ray & MRI images on the day of the procedure • You need to stop blood thinning drugs like asprin, clopidogriel etc. 5 – 7 days before the injection. But consult your cardiologist before hand. During the Procedure: The injection takes just a few minutes. But extra time is needed to get ready. Alocal anesthetic will be used to numb your skin. The doctor will then insert a thin needle directly into the epidural space. A type of X-ray or C-arm may be used to ensure the safe and proper position of the needle. Contrast “dye” may be injected into your back, this helps get a better image. Once the doctor is sure the needle is correctly placed the medicine will be injected.

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