How Steroid Injections Ease Spinal Nerve Pain in The Neck, Lower Back, and Mid-Back

Close-up of a doctor preparing an epidural steroid injection for a patient.

“Radicular” refers to the roots of the spinal nerves. We frequently treat radicular pain in the lower back and neck. Radiculopathy refers to the conditions that cause such pain. From its offices in Macon, Warner Robins, Dublin, and Milledgeville, Georgia, The Hemlock Pain Center has had great success in treating this type of pain as well as spine pain that affects the middle portion of the back with epidural steroid injections.

What causes radicular neck pain?

Also known as cervical radiculopathy, this type of pain generally has two main causes: cervical spondylosis, which is degenerative changes in the spine that accompany aging, and herniated or bulging discs in the neck. This pain may radiate to the shoulders, arms, chest, and upper back, and other symptoms of cervical radiculopathy include numbness, tingling, weak muscles, and poor reflexes.

How does radiculopathy develop in and affect the lower back?

Also known as lumbar radiculopathy, this type of pain most commonly arises due to herniated discs in the lower back. Other causes include degenerative spinal stenosis and bone spurs; fractures and other traumatic injuries; tumors (cancerous and non-cancerous); infections; and vascular conditions. Like radicular pain in the neck, lumbar pain can travel to different parts of the body – down the hip, groin, butt, and legs. It, too, can cause numbness and a “pins and needles” sensation, as well as an altered gait or difficulty walking.

Why do I have thoracic spine pain?

The least common of the three types of radicular pain, thoracic radiculopathy largely affects the mid-back but can spread to the front of the body. Poor posture, muscle strains, and herniated discs can all compress and inflame the nerve roots in the thoracic area of the spine. In addition to sharp pain, our patients with this form of radiculopathy may experience muscle spasms and stiffness.

How do epidural steroid injections help with radiculopathy?

This treatment is a type of nerve block. All nerve blocks generally work in the same way; they block a specific group of nerves that are responsible for pain in different regions of the body. In this case, the steroid or medicine is injected into the sheath surrounding the spine’s nerve root (epidural refers to “around the spinal cord”). Once injected, the steroid reduces inflammation and irritation in the affected cervical, lumbar, or thoracic area.

Happy senior couple smiling after an epidural steroid injection procedure.
Medical professional preparing an epidural steroid injection for treatment.

What can I expect from treatment?

Injections can be completed in just minutes. In fact, you can be in and out of one of our offices in less than an hour. Depending on your needs and specific circumstances, we may use IV sedation and not just local anesthetic for your comfort. After your skin has been cleansed and the area to be treated is fully numb, a sterile and ultra-fine needle is inserted. We use cutting-edge technologies to guide the needle safely to the proper position. After we have confirmed the precise location, a local anesthetic and long-acting steroid medication are injected. Many of our patients at The Hemlock Pain Center experience immediate relief from their discomfort and other symptoms; however, as the anesthesia wears off, it is not uncommon to have some numbness and tenderness. Be patient and take it easy. It takes time (up to seven days) for the full effects of the steroid to kick in, at which time you should be able to move freely and without pain again.

Spinal nerve pain does not have to dominate your life. To discuss your options, contact one of our patient care coordinators today at Macon (478) 475-2385, Warner Robins (478) 997-6444, Dublin (478) 800-3745, or Milledgeville, GA (478) 280-4670.