CAUDAL INJECTIONS

CAUDAL INJECTIONS

CA caudal injection is actually an injection into the lowest portion of the epidural space. A caudal injection can help reduce lower back and leg pain caused by sciatica, herniated discs, bone spurs or other back problems.

You have nerves that run from your spinal cord out to your back and legs. When one of those nerve “roots” (the end closest to your spinal cord) gets irritated and inflamed due to a damaged disc or other condition, it can cause back or leg pain.

This medication can help reduce the inflammation and alleviate the pain. It’s injected into your back, into the area between the membrane that contains the spinal fluid (the dura) and the thickest ligament between your vertebra. The caudal canal is below the lower end of the spinal cord.
First, you will lie on your abdomen on an x-ray table. Then, an intravenous medication to help you relax will be administered.

 

  • The doctor will numb an area of skin on your lower back, just above your buttocks, with a local anesthetic. Then, guided by an x-ray, he or she will:

    • Insert a thin needle into your back, just above your tailbone
    • Inject dye to confirm that medication is administered into the caudal space
    • Inject the medication,
    • The medicines then spread in the epidural and caudal spaces, thereby hopefully reducing nerve inflammation and pain.

    Usually, the procedure takes less than 15 minutes and you can go home the same day.

  • What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Caudal Injections?

    After your caudal injection treatment, you will notice immediate pain relief due to the local anesthetic that is injected. This will wear off in a few hours, and pain may return briefly. The medication will take effect within a few days, soothing inflammation so that you can enjoy long-lasting pain relief. The results from your caudal injection can last between several weeks and several months. The exact duration of these results will vary, so we will help you determine the kind of results that you can expect during your initial visit.

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