Radicular pain refers to pain that comes from nerve root irritation. Nerve roots is the part of the neck anatomy where the nerves exit the spinal column and start their travel down to the arms. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain in these regions due to irritation from a damaged disc or from contract with the bony structure of the spine in some way. A cervical epidural injection places anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space to decrease inflammation of the nerve roots, reducing the pain in the neck, shoulders and arms. The injection helps the injury to heal by reducing inflammation.
A cervical epidural injection is a procedure administered to the cervical spine (neck area). When given, theses injections are frequently used to treat pain that is located in the neck or radicular pain that is going down to the shoulders or arms.
Patients suffering from pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, should schedule an appointment with Dr. Reid to discuss getting a cervical epidural injection to provide relief.
The extent and duration of pain relief may depend on the amount of disc or nerve root inflammation. Other coexisting factors may be responsible for your pain. Sometimes an injection brings several weeks to months of pain relief, and then further treatment is needed. Other times, a single injection brings long-term pain relief. These injections are usually done in a series of three (3), about two (2) weeks apart.