How Long Do Epidural Injections for Back Pain Last?

Back pain can truly be debilitating. Patients facing back pain can have limited range of motion, and it can affect their daily lives and activities. Our physicians at Pain Control Associates work with all types of pain that plague our patients. Back pain can be in the lower back, upper back, and neck area or radiate down to other areas, such as the legs and sciatica. Here we look at back pain and treatment options, such as epidural injections.

What Can Cause Back Pain?

Just like all people are unique, so is their pain and the source of the discomfort. Back pain can be the result of an injury related to sports, activities such as lifting heavy items, work-related injuries, or the result of being in an automobile or motorcycle accident. Back pain can also be from a condition such as arthritis, diseases, or inflammation. Herniated or slipped discs are another common problem behind back pain. This occurs when cartilage discs between vertebrae move out of place. 

Our physicians will explore the problem behind the pain first and foremost to determine if that can be addressed to help ease the discomfort. A thorough health exam, discussion, and possible tests can help pinpoint any problems. If we have these answers as a starting point, we can better tailor your treatment plan specifically to you. 

What is an Epidural Injection?

This type of injection includes a local anesthetic, which will provide pain relief instantly, and a steroid for longer relief that will begin about two to seven days after the injection. This type of treatment has been known to work well on patients with sciatica and radiating pain. The results can hang around from weeks to months to a year. There is no way to know exactly how long the relief will occur for you as a patient. Our physicians may prescribe additional injections as it is safe to have repeat treatments weeks apart. Sometimes this layered approach will increase the pain management process. 

Part of how the injections work is where they are injected: in the epidural space at the spine, and the solution helps flush out inflammatory mediators that could be the source of your pain. Steroids are anti-inflammatory agents to help prolong the pain relief. Even if the results are not total, many patients can curb how much medication they take or are able to begin a physical rehab or exercise plan to help them feel better. Risks involved with this process are low.

How do I know if an Epidural Injection is Right for Me?

Our physicians will work with you one-on-one to determine your pain level and what treatments you are comfortable with pursuing. Oftentimes, a pain management plan will have various components that will be combined for the best possible results. Your pain relief plan begins with an appointment. Contact our team through our online contact form.