What is the lumbar epidural?

The lumbar epidural is a procedure that is often used to alleviate inflammation in nerve roots at the base of the spine. This is called epidural because it requires injection of anti -inflammatory drugs into the space around the Dura or membrane membrane surrounding the nerve roots and spinal cord. Impact of nerve roots in the lower or lumbar spine can lead to pain in the legs and backs. The lumbar epidural can be used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and allow lumbar roots injury to heal.

The lumbar epidural is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients are usually located in a lying position and can be administered intravenously sedative drugs during the procedure. Doctors can use X -ray instructions to ensure that they injure treatment in a suitable location.

In general, doctors use a combination of steroid drugs such as Cortisone and anesthetics to perform a lumbar epidural. These drugs are injected directly intoEpidural space or into a space that surrounds the dura of the spine membrane. Patients are usually asked to stay in a leaf under medical supervision up to one hour after the procedure is completed. If the patient does not experience any weakness in his feet, he may be released at the moment; Otherwise, it can remain under supervision for up to three hours until the strength of the legs returns. While most patients can return to normal activities, including work, the next day it is recommended to relax and refrain from driving for at least 24 hours after receiving the epidural.

This procedure can provide for several hours of immediate relief from symptoms of pain due to anesthetics in injection. However, steroid drugs injected during this procedure may not take effect of up to one week. Patients may receive more than one lumbar epidural injection. Multiple injections can be administered every two to three weeks. Most patients may not receive more than three injections in any six weeks.

patients are generally forbidden to use anyOther pain relief drugs on the day they receive a lumbar epidural to accurately assess the effectiveness of the procedure. Patients can take other medicines and are usually recommended to eat small food within hours before the procedure. Patients depending on insulin are usually warned not to change their conventional diet and insulin schedule on the day of the procedure. Patients dependent on insulin should ideally discuss their use of prescription drugs with a doctor to plan an epidural to avoid interactions with any diabetes drugs.