During an epidural procedure, your doctor will administer an injection directly to your epidural space. This guided steroid injection contains corticosteroids, which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that target swelling and reduce nerve compression. This injection is a powerful tool when it comes to pain management in St. Augustine, FL, as it works to eliminate inflammatory compounds and reduce irritation around the nerves to alleviate your painful symptoms.
So, what should you expect when you go to the clinic for one of these procedures? First, before your injection, you will change into a gown and lie face down on the exam table. The doctor will then administer a local anesthetic to numb the injection site. This, along with sedatives, helps you to relax during the procedure. Next, your doctor will position an X-ray machine over your spine to ensure that the injection is performed precisely in the area causing your painful symptoms.
The actual injection only takes a few moments. You might feel a little pressure, but the anesthetic means you won’t feel any pain. At the end of the procedure, you will be monitored for a brief amount of time before being discharged. Because of the sedatives, you won’t be allowed to drive at first, so make sure you bring someone along who can drive you home.