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Epidural for chronic pain relief
An effective treatment option for chronic back pain
What is an epidural for chronic pain relief?
An epidural for chronic pain relief is an injection that combines local anaesthetic with a small amount of steroid medication. They are known as epidural steroid injections. This combination of medications works together to relieve pain and inflammation. The local anaesthetic relieves pain while the steroid medication reduces inflammation around your spinal cord.
Epidural steroid injections do not cure lower back pain but can provide short-term pain relief, often for several months.
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private epidural for chronic pain relief treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what an epidural for chronic pain relief is, what conditions it can be used to treat, and what to expect during the procedure.
How much does epidural for chronic pain relief cost?
The cost of epidural for chronic pain relief depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.
Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.
What conditions can an epidural for chronic pain relief be used to treat?
Epidural steroid injections can be used to treat chronic pain in your lower back that spreads down to your hips or legs due to pressure on your spinal nerves. The injection can be used to treat several conditions including:
- Herniated disk
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal
- Vertebral bone spurs (osteocytes): Growths of bone that form on the bones in your spine (vertebrae)
- Degenerative disk disease: A condition where the discs in your spine become worn down
- Osteoarthritis: Break down of cartilage in the joints
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolysis: A small crack between two vertebrae
- Spondylolisthesis: A condition where one of your vertebrae slips forward
Benefits of epidural for chronic pain relief
The main benefit of an epidural for chronic pain relief is temporary relief from your pain and any associated problems with movement and function. Though it does not cure chronic pain, short-term pain relief can give you time to recover from the cause of your pain or allow you to keep active and start other treatments such as physiotherapy that can provide longer-term benefits.
How long does an epidural for chronic pain relief take to work?
You should start to feel the effects of the local anaesthetic very quickly after having your epidural steroid injection. The anti-inflammatory effects of the steroid normally start to work in around two to five days.
How long does an epidural for chronic pain relief last?
How long your epidural steroid treatment lasts varies from person to person and can range from a few days to several months. Most people experience pain relief for three to six months following an epidural injection for chronic pain relief.
Are there any alternatives?
Back pain is a complex problem with a variety of causes. If epidural steroid injections are not the right choice for you, many alternatives are available. Your consultant will work with you to find the best treatment to suit your individual needs.
Some alternative treatments to epidural steroid injections include:
- Medication: May include painkillers, muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physiotherapy: Uses a range of techniques such as exercise, manual therapy, heat, massage, and ultrasound to build muscle strength, increase flexibility and improve mobility and range of motion
- Acupuncture
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): Involves the use of a mild electrical current to relieve pain
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): A minimally invasive procedure that uses radio waves to destroy the nerves that are causing pain
- Surgery: The type of surgery depends on the cause of your back pain, but includes cervical discectomy and lumbar spine decompression surgery
What to expect at your initial consultation
At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant specialising in giving epidural injections for chronic pain relief.
Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, diagnosis, general health, medical history, any other treatments you have tried previously, and any medications you take regularly. They may perform a physical examination.
Your consultant may ask to see the results of any tests or scans you have had previously, or they may arrange them on the day. These may include blood tests, X-ray, CT or MRI scans.
Your first appointment is important as it’s where you’ll meet your consultant, the doctor responsible for your care. Your consultant will take time to get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. At Circle Health Group, we want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your epidural for chronic pain treatment, so please discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.
How to prepare for your epidural steroid injection
Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your epidural steroid injection. Instructions on how to prepare will also be in your appointment letter.
If there’s anything you’re not sure about, or if you have any questions about how to prepare for your treatment, please contact the hospital for advice.
Tell your consultant about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements, and any allergies you have.
Your consultant may tell you to stop taking certain medicines like blood thinners for a few days before your epidural steroid injection. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during your procedure.
You can eat and drink as normal before your epidural for chronic pain relief treatment.
What happens during epidural for chronic pain relief treatment?
When you arrive at the hospital for your epidural steroid injection, you’ll be met by a member of your healthcare team. They will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have about your treatment. They may ask you to complete a short health questionnaire and check your blood pressure before your treatment. You’ll need to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the procedure and are aware of what it entails and the possible risks and complications.
Types of epidural for chronic pain relief
There are several types of epidural steroid injections, depending on where on your spine (backbone) the injection is given and the method used. Your consultant will decide on the most effective type of injection for you based on your diagnosis and symptoms.
Epidural steroid injections can be given in several places along your spine including your:
- Cervical spine (neck)
- Thoracic spine (middle of your back)
- Lumbar spine (lower back)
Epidural steroid injections can be administered in one of three ways:
- Interlaminar injection: The injection is given in the centre of the spine, between two vertebrae
- Transforaminal injection: The needle is inserted into a space in the side of a vertebra that the nerves pass through
- Caudal injection: The injection is given into the epidural space at the base of your spinal canal
To have your epidural steroid injection, your consultant may ask you to sit on the edge of the bed and lean forward or lie on your side with your knees bent towards your chest. After cleaning the skin where your injection will be given, your consultant will inject local anaesthetic to numb the area before injecting the epidural.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will inject some dye and take some X-rays to check the needle is in the correct place before injecting the epidural and steroid into your epidural space.
You may feel slight pressure, tingling, burning, or a rapid shooting pain while you are having your epidural steroid injection. These usually subside once the procedure is finished. Many people don’t feel anything during their treatment. Tell your consultant immediately if you experience severe, or sharp pain while you are having your injection.
Epidural for chronic pain relief treatment normally takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
Recovering from epidural for chronic pain relief treatment
Recovering from any type of procedure is different for everyone and depends on several factors including your age, general health, the type of procedure you had and your individual recovery process.
You’ll need to rest and lie flat for at least two hours after your epidural steroid injection The nursing staff will monitor your blood pressure and other vital signs until you are ready to be discharged.
You may feel altered sensation or numbness around the injected area after your epidural for chronic pain relief treatment.
You will not be able to drive yourself home from hospital and will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you overnight after your procedure.
Do not drive, operate machinery, engage in potentially dangerous activities (such as cooking), or drink alcohol until you have fully recovered and regained normal movement, sensation and coordination after your procedure (at least 24 hours).
Lie down as much as possible for the first 24 hours after your epidural steroid injection and limit walking and sitting upright to 20 minutes at a time.
Keep an eye on your injection site and call the hospital if you experience any pain, redness or swelling around the area.
It may be several days to a few weeks before you feel the benefits of your epidural steroid injection and your pain may get temporarily worse for a few days after treatment. Continue taking your regular pain medication until you feel the effects of your epidural steroid injection.
Your consultant will schedule a follow-up appointment with you in around six to eight weeks to check your progress after your epidural for chronic pain relief treatment.
Potential risks and complications of epidural for chronic pain relief
Like any medical procedure, an epidural for chronic pain relief injection carries a small risk of complications and side effects, some of which may be serious.
Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. It’s important that you are fully informed about any possible risks and complications before your procedure and are able to make an informed decision.
Possible complications of epidural for chronic pain relief treatment include:
- Bruising around the injection site
- Bleeding
- Low blood pressure
- Allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic or steroid
- The epidural steroid injection may not be effective in relieving your pain
- Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH): A headache that can occur if the dura (the membrane that protects your spinal cord) is punctured during the procedure. It can range from mild to severe and is made worse by sitting or standing up and improves when lying flat. PDPH usually gets better in around one to two weeks.
- Difficulty passing urine: This is rare but may occur if the nerves to your bladder are affected. You may need to stay in the department until you pass urine or need a urinary catheter temporarily until the effect of the anaesthetic wears off.
- Temporary leg or arm weakness
- Unexpected high block: A rare complication that occurs when the local anaesthetic spreads higher than it should, resulting in low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and rarely, loss of consciousness
- Infection around your spine
- Short-term or long-term nerve injury
- Visual disturbances
- Blood clot around your spine
- Paralysis (this is very rare)
Why choose Circle Health Group for an epidural for chronic pain relief?
At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:
- Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
Clinical review and sources
- Epidural injection for chronic pain relief Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
- Overview. Epidural NHS
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection Cleveland Clinic
- Epidural injections for back pain Medline Plus
