Why is a Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection Performed?
Caudal epidural steroid injections are administered just above the patient’s tailbone and help decrease chronic inflammatory pain. Caudal pain usually starts in the lower back and radiates to the buttocks, thighs, and shin.
Patients usually experience sharp, shooting pain or sensations of being pricked by pins and needles. They may also complain of decreased sensations in their legs and feet and difficulty walking or performing physical activities. Numerous conditions can benefit from this procedure, including:
- Sciatica
- Bony spurs
- Spondylosis
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Post-laminectomy syndrome
- Failed surgeries of the spine or back
- Degenerated intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine
- Herniated or slipped intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine
- Arthritis that causes thickening of the ligaments in the lumbar spine
These injections can be used exclusively for pain management or as a bridge while other curative options are explored. Specialists can also combine them with physical therapy in cases where the pain is too severe and physical therapy cannot be attempted on its own.
How are Caudal Epidural Steroid Injections Performed?
Before finalizing the date of the procedure, the specialist will take a detailed history of the patient’s health and medications, which are used to determine whether the injection can be safely administered with minimum complications.
On the day of the procedure, the patient will be asked to change into a medical gown and lay down on a table. The doctor will thoroughly clean the lower back area, and a local anesthetic will be applied to the injection site so the patient does not feel any pain from the injection needle.
The needle is injected into the epidural space slowly and carefully using an X-ray or fluoroscopy. Infusion of contrast dye ensures the doctor is in the targeted area and corrects needle placement. After this visualization on the imaging monitor, the steroid and anesthetic combination is finally administered, and the injection site is carefully bandaged to avoid bleeding.
What To Expect After a Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection
After the procedure, the patient is advised to rest and perform light activities for the next 24 hours. This means the patient should make prior arrangements for transportation back home. The effects of the injection can start appearing from 2 days or up to a week and can last for several days to months.
Caudal epidural steroid injections allow patients to experience significant pain relief, restore mobility and increase functional capacity. For some patients, pain relief is immediate, whereas, for others, subsequent doses may be required after two weeks. However, if the pain does not decrease or is too intense, the patient should contact their doctor immediately.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Caudal ESI
One of the primary reasons to opt for caudal epidural steroid injections is to avoid spinal surgery. These injections are less invasive and prevent the potential complications of major surgery. They do not require an extended stay in the hospital and can be safely administered in 30 mins to an hour.
Caudal ESI can serve as a treatment and diagnostic tool to discover other causes of chronic back and leg pain. They improve the patient’s quality of life and can provide short-term and long-term pain relief in different individuals. They have a high success rate and the least amount of complications among all types of epidural steroid injections. Without the restrictions caused by pain, patients can better perform their activities of daily living.
However, as with any procedure, certain risks are also involved when undergoing caudal epidural steroid injections. If given incorrectly, the needle can cause damage to nerves resulting in numbness and weakness of the arms and legs, urinary or fecal incontinence, and injury to the spinal cord.
Headaches, sleep disturbances, bleeding, infections, high blood sugar, and allergic reactions can also occur after the injection. Nevertheless, a well-trained specialist can avoid and manage these rare complications.
Call Your Doctor If you are looking for a quick and minimally invasive replacement for spinal surgery and believe that caudal epidural steroid injections are the correct choice, call your doctor and set up an appointment today, as early intervention can give you a better chance of recovery from your chronic pain.
