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Epidural Shot for Sciatica Pain

According to spine-health.com, epidural shots have been used since 1952 to treat lower back pain, including pain associated sciatica. Sciatica pain often inhibits you from living a normal life. Epidural shots are recommended for patients whose sciatica pain is so severe that you cannot easily perform regular activities.

  1. Causes

    • Sciatica is attributed to pain in the sciatic nerve, which is located in your lower back and extends to each of your legs. The sciatic nerve is vital for muscle control in your legs. According to Medline Plus, some causes of sciatica are unknown, while others are linked to spinal stenosis and a ruptured intervertebral disk. Sciatica pain causes numb tingling and numbness in your lower back through your feet (Reference 3).

    The Facts

    • According to Medline Plus, sciatica pain may go away on its own in mild cases. Other types of treatment for sciatica pain include surgery and physical therapy (Reference 3). Epidural shots are administered to some patients for sciatica pain relief (Reference 1). These shots are typically a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and anesthetics.

    Function

    • Epidural shots are used to relieve sciatica pain, but not to treat the condition. According to spine-health.com, relief can last from as little as one week or up to a year, depending on the dosage. Epidural shots are often used in conjunction with physical therapy in order to make exercising more comfortable.

    Benefits

    • An epidural shot is effective against your sciatica pain, because it is injected near or at the sciatic nerve. Other methods of pain relief, such as oral medications, do not provide relief as quickly since they are not administered to the source of your pain. Epidural shots relieve pain and inflammation associated with sciatica, making it possible for you to go about your daily routine in comfort.

    Risks

    • Side effects of an epidural shot include rash, infection, bleeding, headaches, temporary dysfunction of your bowels and bladder, and headaches. According to radiologyinfo.org, some patients temporarily experience an increase in sciatica pain before they experience relief from the shot. Other risks include stroke, paralysis and death.

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