Epidural Injection for Chronic Pain Relief

What is an epidural injection?

An epidural injection involves injecting local anaesthetics and steroids into the epidural space (an area near your spinal cord). This numbs your nerves to give pain relief in certain areas of your body.

How does an epidural injection work?

A needle is inserted in the epidural space, near your spinal cord. Local anaesthetics and steroids are injected through the needle into the epidural space.

The local anaesthetics numb the nerves to give pain relief. The steroids reduce inflammation and may make the pain relief last longer.

What types of epidural injection are available?

The type of epidural injection depends on where it is given.

What are the benefits of an epidural injection?

An epidural injection can give you short-term pain relief, allowing you to move around more easily.

What does the procedure involve?

An epidural injection usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your doctor may use an x-ray to guide them while they give the injection.

Your doctor will carefully insert the needle for the epidural injection.

The healthcare team will monitor you closely during and after the injection.

How soon will I recover?

Most people feel completely normal after the procedure. After a short while you should be able to go home.

What complications can happen?

Some complications can be serious and can even cause death.

Failure of the epidural

Worsening pain

Low blood pressure

Headache

Backache

Temporary leg or arm weakness

Seizures

Difficulty passing urine

Unexpected high block, if the local anaesthetic spreads beyond the intended area

Infection around your spine

Short-term nerve injury

Visual disturbance or loss of vision

Long-term nerve injury

Blood clot around your spine

Paralysis

I can’t thank everyone enough for the amazing care given. Such lovely attentive nurses. I will definitely recommend St Hughs and Mr Riaz and his team. Brilliant hospital.

Could not fault anything about my stay in St Hughs. Everybody was wonderful. Thank you all.

Everybody was kind, considerate and a jolly bunch, which helps to put you at ease and gives you confidence in knowing that they know what they are doing. 5 stars.

All staff extremely kind, patient and friendly. A credit to the hospital. Thank you.

Very good hospital and very good staff. I have never met so many caring people in one place. The nursing was 1st class. The encouragement to walk was also very good.

I had an amazing experience during my time at St Hugh’s Hospital, from my initial consultation to the aftercare following my procedure. Communication with the cosmetic nurse was brilliant; every member of staff I met was kind respectful, caring and polite. My surgeon was fantastic, so professional and kind, I trusted his knowledge completely.